Written+Report+Guidelines

=Written Report Guidelines=

The Written Report will contain research from reference materials, a bibliography, and ALL the sections that are also on the display board.
A student chooses a topic, researches important background information on the topic, and writes a paper about this research. This part is sometimes called the “Background Information”. It is important that the student use the most current information he/she can obtain and that the paper is written in the STUDENT’S OWN WORDS. Research copied from the Internet will not be judged highly. Use only data-based sites for research on the computer. Websites such as Wikipedia are not recommended as they may not have accurate information because they can be edited

[|Guide to Citations]

The Report should have a minimum of 5 types of sources. (Credible Website, Encyclopedia, Journal, Book, Newspaper, Magazine, Interview, Video, etc.) The report should also have a minimum of 10 sources cited throughout the paper.

The written report (packet put together in a binder or report folder with clear cover) is in addition to the information put on display and goes beyond the actual experimentation. It gives more detailed information about the science project and may include pictures, diagrams and added knowledge the student has gained through reading or talking with professionals in the area of research. This written report may also include any materials for which the student may have ordered, newspaper or magazine articles, and emails from other research scientists. THIS RESEARCH INFORMATION DOES NOT GO ON THE DISPLAY BOARD.

Why is the research to be done? In order to develop a “sound” hypothesis, you need to do research on your topic. Only those students who KNOW something about their topic will become finalists. This makes the difference between projects done for a grade and projects that show students are truly interested in the topic.

DO NOT confuse the written report with your data notebook. Research is based on reference information. The data notebook is from your observations (watching your experiment). = Writing the Written Report =

The entire report should be typed (12-14 font), double-spaced, and placed in a 3-ring binder or folder with a clear plastic front, as it is a formal presentation of your science research project. The more thorough (more pages 2-3) your research is, the more points you will earn. Try to use at least three types of sources (books, Internet sites, interviews).

Students are to use the rubric provided to keep track of their progress. The components are listed in the order they should appear in the written report.