What is The Independent Science Research Project?
This project will be completed February thru May and will include the following:
1. A Background Research Paper (3-5 pages) (count as 1 formal grade)
2. A Laboratory Experiment in which you will test the effect of the independent variable on the
dependent variable. It will include a procedure, results and conclusion section. (count as 2
formal grades)
Your teacher will explain the requirements of each assignment, but is your responsibility to seek help
when you need it throughout the research process.
Although some class time will be available for you to work on your project, you will likely need to
schedule additional time after school hours.
General requirements of the Research Project include the following:
 final products will be submitted in a 3-Ring Binder
 all notes and data will be recorded, in handwriting, on notebook paper.
 written assignments will be typed in Times New Roman font, size 12, and double spaced
 project heading titles will be centered and bold-faced
 page numbers will be placed in bottom right-hand corner
 all assignments are due on time; CMS grading policy will be applied to all late assignments
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Assignment
#1: Topic of research/ Questions
#2: Hypothesis
#3: Experimental Procedure
#4: Research Paper (3-5 pages)
With outline/ research/ rough draft
#5: Data/ Results/ Analysis
#6: Final Product / presentation
Due Date:
February 6 , 2015 (Friday)
February 17, 2015 (Tuesday)
March 25 , 2015 (Wednesday)
April 1, 2015 (Wednesday)
May 4 , 2015 (Monday)
May 15 , 2015 (Friday)
Your project topic must be approved before you begin your research.
Your project may NOT:
 involve chemicals that are harmful to students
 test consumer products (such as “Which paper towel is best?”)
Assignment #1:Deciding on a Topic
 Take a look at the following websites for ideas:
o sciencebuddies.org
o sciencefair-projects.org
o juliantrubin.com/fairprojects.html
o all-science-fair-projects.com
 Pick a topic with clearly identifiable independent and dependent variables.
 Pick a topic you are interested in studying.
As you are thinking of a topic, ask yourself:
 How will I manipulate/change the independent variable?
 How will I collect quantitative data?
 How will I measure the effects of the independent variable?
Assignment # 2: Hypothesis
 Your hypothesis will be the last sentence of your background research section. It should be one
sentence long.
 The hypothesis usually has the following format: If
, then
.
 The hypothesis is a prediction regarding the outcome of your experiment.
 Your hypothesis must be supported by your research. The results you are predicting must be
measurable. Make sure that it is justifiable, based on your research.
Assignment # 3: Procedure
 You need to develop a procedure (recipe) for testing whether your hypothesis is supported or
rejected. Describe each step of your procedure as specifically as possible.
 In your materials list, be very specific, and include amounts. For example, if you are using pots, indicate
the number and size of the pots; if you are using soil, indicate the amount of soil.
o USE ONLY METRIC UNITS!
 You will need to identify your variables:
o Independent Variable – the factor you will manipulate. Your experiment must have only
have ONE independent variable.
 For example, you can change the amount of caffeine for your experimental trials, so
caffeine is the independent variable.
o Dependent Variable – the factor you will measure.
 For example, you can measure the respiratory rate of alligators by counting how
many times the organism exhales, so respiratory rate is the dependent variable.
*Remember: The Independent Variable affects the Dependent Variable.
 If you need to make changes later on to the amount of a material or a step in the procedure, you
will have the opportunity to do so.
Assignment # 4: Research Paper Requirements
Title Page
 Center the title (ex: “The Effect of Caffeine on the Rate of Respiration in the American Alligator”)
 Put your name, class, and date in lower right hand corner.
 Do not number this page.
Background Research Paper
 The first paragraph will include the purpose. This paragraph explains the relevance and
application of your project.
 The body of the paper contains the details of your outline in paragraph form.
*Follow your outline/list of research topics; include changes from your graded outline.
 Your hypothesis will be the last sentence of the final paragraph of your background research
paper. The rest of the final paragraph summarizes the basis of your hypothesis.
References Cited Page
 Use MLA or APA format
 References are placed on a page titled “References Cited.” The title should be bold-faced and
centered.
 List your references in alphabetical order by author’s last name or the first word of the citation.
 Do not include any sources that are not cited in the paper.
 You must have at least five sources. 2 sources must not be from the internet.
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Assignment # 5:Data/ Results
 Show proof to your teacher that the experiment was completed.
o Examples: Log book, Pictures, etc
Assignment # 6: Final Product
Correct previous assignments, etc, print finalize copies and put together as a Lab report, essentially.
Title Page
 Center the title (ex: “The Effect of Caffeine on the Rate of Respiration in Alligators”)
 Put your name, class, and date in lower right hand corner.
 Do not number this page.
Table of Contents
 The table of contents lists the page numbers of the items in the paper.
 Place a bullet in front of each section title, followed by the page number on which that section begins.
Background Research Paper: be sure final draft includes all corrections from first draft
Procedure: in paragraph form and includes all corrections from last draft
Results & Analysis
 This section will include 2 parts:
1) a paragraph (or two) explaining your data
o Compare the experimental group(s) to the control group.
o In this paragraph, merely report what happened. DO NOT GIVE ANY EXPLANATIONS.
2) tables and/or graphs displaying your data
o Condense your data as much as possible.
o Some kind of data analysis is required. Examples of data analysis include:
o Illustrate data in tables or graphs (graphs are more effective in illustrating trends).
o Tables and graphs must be computer generated and axes must be labeled.
o Tables and graphs must be identified. For example, “Table 1” or “Figure 1.”
o All tables and graphs must be explained and referenced in the written portion of the results section.
Conclusion
The conclusion should:
 restate the hypothesis.
 state whether the hypothesis is supported or rejected by the data.
 describe the patterns that emerged, any relationships that seem meaningful and any correlations.
 explain why the results occurred, based on your background research.
 explain why the results may have turned out differently from what you expected.
 discuss problems or possible sources of error.
 Make suggestions for future research or applications of your experiment.
References Cited
 Citations in CSE format in alphabetical order by author’s last name (or first word of citation).
 Include only citations that are referenced in the background research paper.
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Appendix
 Place photographs in this section. Printed photos are preferred over images on paper.
 Include any other items that could not be organized within the text of your paper.
REMINDERS:
 Submit all parts of your project in 3-ring binder.
 Type and double-space everything.
 Use Times New Roman font, size 12.
 Heading Titles must be centered and bold-faced
 Insert (type) page numbers in bottom right-hand corner (except title page)
 The title page, table of contents, references cited and appendix should be on their own page. Begin the
remainder of the sections IMMEDIATELY after the previous section, not on a new page.
Use this space to make any notes: Write down your ideas! Remember this is an Independent project- No
Unsupervised. Ask your teacher if you have any questions and regularly check in throughout your process!
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