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scientific method
The Scientific Method: Background Research for Science Fair Projects
16
Sep
Sep
Last week we talked about developing your science fair project’s hypothesis and this week we will be discussing how to conduct the background research for your project. This is an activity that needs to be done both before you create your hypothesis and after you develop your hypothesis.
Whether you are working on an easy or a complex multi-month science fair project, you need to begin the scientific method by learning about your topic. Your initial background research will be a general survey of your topic.
For example, if you are working on a project about seed germination, then you will want to learn about germination and plant growth. The purpose of this research is to help you understand your project and to help you find a topic to base your hypothesis on.
After you have developed your hypothesis you will need to conduct the second part of your research. This research will focus on science fair projects that have already been done on your topic, as well as on new findings about your topic. Great resources for this phase of your project’s research will be original research, Internet, news headlines, your textbook and science fair kits.
After you have finished both parts of your research you will need to compose a short essay which summarizes what you have learned so far. This “essay” will be part of your Project Research Report. A simple way to do this is to write a short paragraph on each resource or topic that you researched. Remember to create a bibliography for your project.
To get more detail on how to do background research, look here if you are following the scientific method. If you are doing an Engineering Design Process, then look here…
Building in 1 Direction: The rods can be connected in-line without the intermediate need of a connector, almost reducing to half the quantity of parts required to build models.
Building in 2 Direction: While the assembled rod looks uniform with nothing protruding, it may provide building directions vertically and sideways by simply snap fitting another rod to one of the bi-directional side cavities. This innovative design allows snap assembly on both sides simultaneously and greatly enhances the expandability of the System.
Building in 3 Directions: The System is capable of tackling with the same ease as all the other building directions. All directions of the 3D space are accessible by combining the rods with the various types of connectors.
Connecting in Fixed Angles: This system makes it possible to build complex models that require connections of 45°
Building Machines: The optimized design of Engino components consists of only 18 different types of multi-functional parts. Yet you can build simple and complex machines. Following the same design principles of the basic system, a range of different types of gears, pulleys, axles and accessories make it the ideal constructional toy for home and school.
Whether it’s business or science, for every project, researchers usually summarize relevant literature/ information in the introduction to research reports. This provides readers with a background for understanding current knowledge on a topic and illuminates the significance for the new study.
Doing a background research is very crucial for a project’s success. I remember one time I was working with some research work on finding the relationship between corporate image and customer satisfaction. I blew it up just because the background research was not done properly.
@Joey: I totally agree with you. I too have similar experience. Last month, I was working on determining Customer Satisfaction Level of a Commercial Bank and about to complete the report, then I came to know about the SERVQUAL model. Thus I had to redo the report again just because I didn’t conduct proper background review.
Lisa, so what you and Joey are saying is that background research is also important in business, not just in doing science fair projects. What this shows is that when you learn how to do a science fair project you learn a skill for life’s future experiences.
I am somehow involved in the world of Science myself. Conducting the background research is very important and crucial in teh success of the study or experiment. Bad research would most of the time lead to failed experiments.
To design an experiment, you need to research what techniques and equipment might be best for investigating your topic. Rather than starting from scratch, savvy Investigators want to use their library and Internet research to help them find the best way to do things.
You want to learn from the experience of others rather than blunder around and repeat their mistakes. A scientist named Mike Kalish put it humorously like this: “A year in the lab can save you a day in the library.”
Mark from free classified website