SCIENCE RESEARCH

AND INVESTIGATORY
PROJECTS

What is a Science Research

Investigatory Project?

It is research activity which aims to

develop ones ability to identify and
determine possible solutions to a
particular problem in ones
community or possible explanations
of a particular phenomenon.
It is a planned undertaking to apply
certain scientific principles or ideas.

TYPES OF INVESTIGATORY PROJECT

1. Experimental type
example:
An investigative study on the
effect of pH on seed
germination

2. Observation type
example:
An investigative study on the
influence of weather to the
average number of customers in
Bos Cafe

3. Survey Type
Example:
An investigative study on the
reaction time rates of Middle
and High School students

Important Considerations of
Project Planning
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Project knowledge on the area

proposed for investigation;
Urgency of the problem to be
researched on;
Probability of fulfilling the
objectives;
Available resources;
Time required to complete the
project.

Planning an Investigatory
Project
Characteristics of a Project Plan
1. Specific
2. Measurable
3. Attainable
4. Resources Available
5. Time bound

Steps in the Research

Process
1.
2.

3.
4.
5.

Selecting a topic
Defining the research problem
and objectives
Formulating the Hypothesis
Conducting the experiments
Collecting and Recording Data

6. Analyzing and Interpreting Data

7. Formulating Generalizations
8. Making recommendations
9. Preparing the Research Report

SCIENCE FAIR PROJECT GUIDELINES

I. Title.
The title of your project should be
catchy, an interest grabber, but it
should also describe the project well
enough that people reading your
report can quickly figure out what
you were studying. You will want to
write your Title and Background
sections AFTER you have come up
with a good question to study.

Examples

The Matrix of Fat loss

The Effect of pH on Tadpoles
Hand Gestures
Popcorn Science
Color and Memory
Tsunami!

II. Abstract
It is a short paragraph of not
more than 500 words which
gives the important aspects
/features of the study. This
should include a very brief
background, purpose,
hypothesis, procedures, results
and conclusion.

III. Background or Purpose

The background section is
where you include information
that you already know about
your subject and/or tell your
project readers why you choose
the project you did. What were
you hoping to find out from the
project?

IV. The Problem

The most difficult part of a
science fair project is coming up
with a good subject to research.
Think about WHAT INTERESTS
you and think of a TESTABLE
QUESTION about the subject.

If you are doing a project on

something that interests you,
you will likely enjoy the research
more and stick with it long
enough to get some good data.
Remember, you are being a
scientist.

V. Hypothesis
As soon as you come up with a testable
question, you will probably instantly have a
hypothesis (prediction) about what the
results will be from your testing. Its a good
idea to write this down before starting,
because it may change as you go about
your experimenting. Also, please
remember that your hypothesis need
scientific basis. Therefore, you need to
research about your topic to support your
hypothesis.

VI. Materials and Methods

Once you have come up with a
question that you can actually test
with materials at your disposal, you
need to figure out how to set up the
tests. If you will need a chart to write
down you test results, get it made. If
you take the time to make it look nice
with a straight-edge, you can include
the actual chart or survey instrument
in your project write-up. This really
impresses the judges!

VII. Data
The results section is where you tell
your reader the actual numbers (or
other data) that you got as you were
doing the experiment. ( In the tennis
ball experiment, this would be a table
with the different brands of balls and
the actual heights each of them
bounced on each trial.) you might
also include a graph, if your data
lends itself to it. Dont forget to
interpret your data.

VIII. Conclusion
In the conclusion you finally get
to tell your readers what you
found out from the experiment,
or how you interpret your data.
This section should be focused
on what you learned about your
original question and hypothesis.
For example, Did cheaper
cereals get soggier in milk
faster?

IX. Recommendation
List ways to improve your
experiments and cite
suggestions on how you could
have better results.

X. References
List the books, websites and
other materials that you use in
making this project and be
specific.

GOOD
LUCK!!!

1. Experimental type
example:
An investigative study on the effect of sunlight to
plant growth
2. Observation type
example:
An investigative study on the influence of weather to
the average number of customers in Bos Cafe
3. Survey Type
Example:
An investigative study on the reaction time rates of
Middle and High School students