SciTech Spectacular 2007

Your Written Presentation
Project Data Book
A project data book is your most treasured piece of work. Accurate and detailed notes make a logical and winning project. Good notes show consistency and thoroughness to the judges and will help you when writing your research paper.

Abstract
After finishing research and experimentation, you are required to write a (maximum) 100-word, one-page abstract. An abstract should include: (a) purpose of the experiment, (b) procedures used, (c) data, (d) conclusions, and (e) project number. It also may include any possible research applications. Only minimal reference to previous work may be included. The abstract should focus on work done since the last PRSEF and should not include: a) acknowledgments, or b) work or procedures done by the mentor.

Research Paper
A research paper should be prepared and available along with a project data book, and any necessary forms or relevant written materials. A research paper helps organize data as well as thoughts. A good paper includes the following sections:
Title Page. Center the project title and grade at the bottom right. For anonymity, do not use your name or school.
Table of Contents. Include a page number for the beginning of each section.
Introduction. The introduction sets the scene for your report. The introduction includes your hypothesis; an explanation of what prompted your research, and what you're hoped to achieve.
Experiment. Describe in detail the methodology used to collect your data or make your observations. Your report should be detailed enough so that someone could repeat the experiment from the information in your paper. Include detailed photographs or drawings of self-designed equipment. Only include this year's work.
Discussion. Be thorough, the discussion is the essence of your paper. The results and conclusions should flow logically from your data. Tell your readers exactly what you did and thought. Compare your results with theories, published data, commonly held beliefs, and expected results. Discuss possible errors. How did the data vary between repeated observations of similar events? How were results affected by uncontrolled events? What would you do differently if you repeated this project? What other experiments should be conducted.
Conclusion. Briefly summarize your results. Be specific, do not generalize. Never introduce anything in the conclusion that has not already been discussed.
Acknowledgments. Credit those who assisted you, including individuals, businesses, and educational or research institutions. Note any financial or material donations.
References. Include any documentation not your own (i.e., books, journal articles). See an appropriate reference for format.

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