Scientific research tries to solve a problem or answer a question. When choosing a topic, give careful thought to how your research might enhance the world and its inhabitants.

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• Pick Your Topic. Choose something that interests you. Ideas might come from hobbies or problems you see that need solutions. Be curious!
• Research Your Topic. Find out as much about it as you can. Go to the library and/or search the web.
• Observe related events. Gather existing information and talk to professionals in the field.
• Organize and Theorize. Organize everything you have learned about your topic. At this point you should determine your hypotheses by focusing on a particular problem/idea.
• Make a Timetable. Choose a topic that can be completed in the amount of time you have. Use the CALENDAR page to identify important dates. Allow plenty of time to experiment and collect data. You may have to repeat the experiment several times. Leave time to write a report and build a display.
• Plan Your Experiment. Once you have a project idea, write a research plan. This plan should explain how you will do your experiment.
• Consult Your Teacher. Make sure your project adheres to all Rules and Guidelines and ensures the safe and humane treatment of humans and animals. At a minimum, your teacher must approve your project.
• Conduct Your Experiments. During experimentation, keep detailed notes. Do not rely on your memory! Remember to change only one variable at a time and include control experiments in which none of the variables change.
• Examine Your Results. When you complete your experiments, examine and organize your findings. Did your experiments give you the expected results? Why or why not? Statistically analyze your data.
• Draw conclusions. Which variables are important? Did you collect enough data? Do you need to conduct more experimentation?
• Keep an open mind. Even if your results do not support your original hypothesis, you still have accomplished successful scientific research.
• Further Questions: What further questions do you have about your experiment? What else would you like to know about this topic?