Science Investigatory Project
Student Handbook
Science Research and the Process of Science
Research is a process by which people discover or create new knowledge about the world in which they live. The Intel ISEF and Affiliated Fairs are research (data) driven. Students design research projects that provide quantitative data through experimentation followed by analysis and application of that data. Projects that are demonstrations, ‘library’ research or informational projects, ‘explanation’ models or kit building are not appropriate for research based science fairs. Questioning is probably the most important part of a scientific investigation and is often followed by an “if…then” statement. Students are encouraged to design ‘controlled’ experiments, ones that allow them to set up a standard and then change only one variable at a time to see how that variable might affect the original condition tested as the standard. Thus, questioning usually leads to experiments or observations. Good scientists, both young and old, frequently use a process to study what they see in the world. This process has been referred as the ‘Scientific Method’ or more recently as the ‘Inquiry Cycle’. The following stages listed below will help you produce a good scientific experiment: 1) Be curious, choose a limited subject, ask a question; identify or originate/define a problem. It is important that this question be a ‘testable’ question – one in which data is taken and used to find the answer. A testable question can further be identified as one in which one or more variables can be identified and tested to see the impact of that variable on the original set of conditions. The question should not merely be an ‘information’ question where the answer is obtainable through literature research. 2) Review published materials related to your problem or question. This review should also include reviewing the International Rules and Guidelines (www.societyforscience. org/isef/rulesandguidelines). This is called background
Science Research and the Process of Science
Research is a process by which people discover or create new knowledge about the world in which they live. The Intel ISEF and Affiliated Fairs are research (data) driven. Students design research projects that provide quantitative data through experimentation followed by analysis and application of that data. Projects that are demonstrations, ‘library’ research or informational projects, ‘explanation’ models or kit building are not appropriate for research based science fairs. Questioning is probably the most important part of a scientific investigation and is often followed by an “if…then” statement. Students are encouraged to design ‘controlled’ experiments, ones that allow them to set up a standard and then change only one variable at a time to see how that variable might affect the original condition tested as the standard. Thus, questioning usually leads to experiments or observations. Good scientists, both young and old, frequently use a process to study what they see in the world. This process has been referred as the ‘Scientific Method’ or more recently as the ‘Inquiry Cycle’. The following stages listed below will help you produce a good scientific experiment: 1) Be curious, choose a limited subject, ask a question; identify or originate/define a problem. It is important that this question be a ‘testable’ question – one in which data is taken and used to find the answer. A testable question can further be identified as one in which one or more variables can be identified and tested to see the impact of that variable on the original set of conditions. The question should not merely be an ‘information’ question where the answer is obtainable through literature research. 2) Review published materials related to your problem or question. This review should also include reviewing the International Rules and Guidelines (www.societyforscience. org/isef/rulesandguidelines). This is called background