How to Do a Science Investigatory Project

 JANET BRIGIDA A. CATIPONMAE-CHEMISTRY

MHS SCIENCE 9 TEACHER

How to Do a Science Investigatory Project

 Two Parts:

 Employing the Scientific Method

Explaining and Presenting Your Project

Part 1 of 2

Employing the Scientific Method 

1. ASK A QUESTION. 

Something that interests, surprises, or confuses you.Something that can be investigated and done.Formulate a single question that sums up you would like to examine (Topic/Idea).The topic you select is manageable within your time frame, budget, and skill level, and that it doesn't break any rules for the assignment / fair / competition.

2. RESEARCH YOUR TOPIC. 

Sources will need to be unbiased, timely and credible.Sources that are supported by scientific organization or journals are a good bet.

3. FORM HYPOTHESIS. 

The hypothesis is your working theory or prediction, based on the question you've asked and your subsequent research. It needs to be accurate and clear, but it doesn't need to be proven correct in order for your SIP to be successful (failed experiments are just as important as successful ones in science).

3. FORM HYPOTHESIS. 

It is often helpful to turn your question into a hypothesis by thinking in "if / then" terms. You may want to frame your hypothesis (at least initially) as "If [I do this], then [this will happen]."

4. DESIGN YOUR EXPERIMENT. 

Know your variables, i.e., the independent and dependent variables. Consider that materials you need – available (better if readily available in your house), and affordable.

5. CONDUCT YOUR EXPERIMENT. 

Closely follow the steps that you have planned to test your experiment. Conduct your test at least three times to ensure a scientifically-valid result.

6. RECORD & ANALYZE RESULTS. 

May be best recorded as a graph, chart, or just a journal entry Make sure it is easy to review and analyze. Keep accurate records of all your results.

6. MAKE YOUR CONCLUSIONS. 

Time to clearly and accurately state your findings. In essence, you are now answering the question you originally asked. If you started out with a simple, clear, straightforward question, and a similar hypothesis, it should be easier to craft your conclusion.Remember, concluding that your hypothesis was completely wrong does not make your SIP a failure. If you make clear, scientifically-grounded findings, and present them well, it can and will be a success.

Part 2 of 2

Presenting and Explaining your Project

1. Know how your project will be evaluated.

For a science fair, for example, the judging could be based on the following criteria (adding up to 100%).

Research paper (50%); Oral presentation (30%); Display poster (20%).

1. Know how your project will be evaluated.

For a science fair, the judging could be based on the following criteria (adding up to 100%).

Research paper (50%); Oral presentation (30%); Display poster (20%).

2. Create an Abstract (Summary of your SIP)3. Write a Reseach Paper

1) Title Page; 2) Introduction (where you identify your topic and hypothesis); 3) Materials & Methods (where you describe your experiment); 4) Results & Discoveries (where you identify your findings); 5) Conclusion & Recommendations (where you "answer" your hypothesis); 6) References (where you list your sources).

4. Prepare your Oral Presentation5. Make a Visual Aid

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