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A Research Paper (or report) should be prepared and available along with the project data book and any necessary forms or relevant written materials. A research paper helps organize data as well as thoughts. Refer to the third page of the ISEF Student Handbook for more details on how to organize the report.
Also, use the steps below to help create a research paper on Microsoft Word. The instructions below will help you include a cover page, table of contents, headers and a reference page to your research paper.
It is important to use Technical Writing when constructing this report. Helpful hint in Technical Writing is to leave out personal pronouns (I, me, you, he, she, etc.)
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Science and Engineering Fair Report Directions Using Microsoft Word
1. Open a new Word document.
2. Go to the Insert Tab and click on the Cover Page button.
3. When the small window pops up, select your cover page format. Make sure the cover page format selected fits the style of the report.
4. Type in your School ID, Title of Project, Abstract, etc. in the specified areas on the Cover Page.
5. On the next page, press enter to leave a space at the top of the page. Then type the following report sections pressing return after each section:
Introduction
Construction
Testing
Redesigning
Retesting
Discussion
Conclusion
Acknowledgements
References
6. Select all the sections just typed and click on the Heading 1 located in the Styles section on the Home tab at the top of the screen. All the sections should turn to a larger blue font. These headings styles and colors can be changed at a later time.
7. Next, go back to the empty space above Introduction and click your mouse in order to leave your blinking cursor at that location.
8. On the reference tab at the top of the screen, click on Table of Contents.
9. Move the sections to their own page or pages by pressing enter. Some sections can share pages. This can be done after all of your information has been typed in.
10. After getting all the sections to their own pages, press the Update Table of Contents on the References tab. When a window appears, click on the Update Entire Table and press Ok. Go back up to the Table of Contents and notice the changes of the page numbers.
11. If sections have subsections or subtitles, then simply select the title for the subsection that you typed and click on the Subtitle located on the Home page Styles tab window. For example, in the Discussion section, you can create an Error Analysis subsection to discuss possible errors.
12. Finally, type your information in the sections based on the details below. Feel free to adjust the report or add in sections if your report requires it. Remember to update the table as information is entered.
Introduction. The introduction sets the scene for your report. The introduction includes your design concept, and explains what prompted your research and what you hoped to achieve.
Construction. In this section, describe in detail on the methodology used to construct the prototype. Discuss the materials of choice, cost affiliated with the materials/tools, as well as problems and issues associated with construction of the prototype. Photos are encouraged for the section.
Testing. In this section, describe in detail on the methodology used to construct the testing method for the prototype. Discuss the materials of choice, cost affiliated with the materials/tools, as well as problems and issues associated with construction of the testing apparatus. Photos of the testing are encouraged. Also describe in detail the methodology used to derive your data and observations. Include detailed photographs or drawings of self-designed equipment (prior to testing). Do not discuss the data in this section. Data is discussed in the "Discussion" section of your paper.
Redesigning. This section discusses the choice to redesign the prototype. Organize this section in the number redesigns used. Make sure to discuss in detail the reasons for the redesign and whether it was due to the construction or due to the testing methods.
Retesting. This section discusses the choice to retest the prototype. Organize this section in the number retests used. Make sure to discuss in detail the reasons for the retest.
Discussion. The discussion is the meat of your paper. The results and conclusions should flow smoothly and logically from your data. Be thorough. Take readers through your train of thought, letting them know exactly what you did. Compare your results with theoretical values, published data, commonly held beliefs, and/or expected results (use information from your research). Also include a discussion of possible errors. How did the data vary between repeated observations of similar events? How were your results affected by uncontrolled events? What would you do differently if you repeated this project? What other tests should be conducted? Include any graphs or charts of the data in this section. Make sure to include all of the data from all initial tests from any redesigns or retests.
Conclusion. Briefly summarize your results. Be specific, do not generalize. Never introduce anything in the conclusion that has not already been discussed.
Acknowledgements. You should always credit in your paper those who assisted you, including people, businesses, and institutions, as well as financial support and donated materials.
References (bibliography). Your reference list should include any material that is not your own (i.e., books, journal articles) including interviews.
13. Get a simple plastic report cover to protect it.
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