Science Research Module Getting Started Writing proposal

Topics Introduction to experimental research Introduction to experimental research Writing proposal Writing proposal Choosing a research topicChoosing a research topic Hypothesis, objectivesHypothesis, objectives Proposal Assessment RubricsProposal Assessment Rubrics PlagiarismPlagiarism SOP for science project safety SOP for science project safety

Experimental Research Category (Cat#1) Involves Involves formulation of hypothesis & objectivesformulation of hypothesis & objectives Designing experiments to collect dataDesigning experiments to collect data testing and analyzing the data obtainedtesting and analyzing the data obtained Drawing a conclusionDrawing a conclusion

Getting started – Crafting ideas, hypothesis, objectives Ideas/choosing a topic: Ask questions Ask questions do your reading up (literature search)do your reading up (literature search) find out what has been donefind out what has been done identify area/topic of interestidentify area/topic of interest think of a question you want to answerthink of a question you want to answer identify a problem you want to solveidentify a problem you want to solve Sources of ideas: books, magazines, journals (scholarly papers), online sources, people, HCI Projects Competition website Sources of ideas: books, magazines, journals (scholarly papers), online sources, people, HCI Projects Competition website

Sources of ideas Science buddies website - Science buddies website All Science Fair Projects - science-fair-projects.com/category0.html All Science Fair Projects - science-fair-projects.com/category0.htmlhttp:// science-fair-projects.com/category0.htmlhttp:// science-fair-projects.com/category0.html Cyber Fair - welcome.html Cyber Fair - welcome.html welcome.html welcome.html The WWW Virtual Library:Science Fairs - The WWW Virtual Library:Science Fairs Pubmed (scholarly papers) - Pubmed (scholarly papers) Scirus - Scirus - National student research center - National student research center HCI Library online resources - asp?SID=8 HCI Library online resources - asp?SID=8 asp?SID=8 asp?SID=8

Feasibility of ideas Evaluate ideas: Evaluate ideas: InterestInterest Availability of materials/equipment/expertiseAvailability of materials/equipment/expertise Availability of fundsAvailability of funds Level of difficultyLevel of difficulty DurationDuration Results obtainable?Results obtainable?

Getting started – Crafting ideas, hypothesis, objectives Hypothesis: A hypothesis is a possible explanation for something you have observed. A hypothesis is a possible explanation for something you have observed. Turn your research questions into hypothesis (statement) Turn your research questions into hypothesis (statement) Question: Do fruit peels contain anti- cancer compounds? Hypothesis: Fruit peel extract contain anti-cancer compounds One hypothesis per project One hypothesis per project

Objectives list what you will set out to do/measure to test your hypothesis list what you will set out to do/measure to test your hypothesis E.g. E.g. Question: Do fruit peels contain anti-cancer compounds? Hypothesis: Fruit peels contain anti-cancer compounds Objectives: 1.To prepare extracts from fruit peels 2.To screen fruit peel extracts for anti-tumour compounds 3.To identify anti-tumour compounds in the fruit extracts Getting started – Crafting ideas, hypothesis, objectives

Exercise Question: Does chitin from crab shells have a greater ability to bind to fats? Question: Does chitin from crab shells have a greater ability to bind to fats? Hypothesis: Hypothesis: Chitin from crab shells has a greater ability to bind to fats. Objectives: Objectives: 1.To extract chitin from crab and prawn shells for comparison. 2.To compare the abilities of crab and prawn shells to bind to fats

Writing a proposal Refer to rubrics Refer to rubrics Refer to rubrics Refer to rubrics Sample proposal Sample proposal Sample proposal Sample proposal Plagiarism Plagiarism

Plagiarism Plagiarism is using other people's work, words, ideas without acknowledging. Includes copying the exact words and citing the author. Plagiarism is using other people's work, words, ideas without acknowledging. Includes copying the exact words and citing the author. Do not plagiarise. Do not plagiarise. Paraphrase your readings Paraphrase your readings Summarise what you read in your own words Summarise what you read in your own words Keep the key words Keep the key words

SOP for projects safety Students to fill in parents consent for lab work (submit today) Students to fill in parents consent for lab work (submit today) Mentors to assess nature of project if it involves the following: Mentors to assess nature of project if it involves the following: Biohazard materials/organismsBiohazard materials/organisms Chemical hazardsChemical hazards Potentially hazardous devices/equipmentPotentially hazardous devices/equipment Apply for approval by Science Research Council (SRC, SSEF) after prelim judging (i/c – Mrs Goh Cheng Wai) Apply for approval by Science Research Council (SRC, SSEF) after prelim judging (i/c – Mrs Goh Cheng Wai)

Approval of research plan by teacher-mentor. Obtain parental consent for laboratory work. Projects not involving potentially hazardous biological agents, substances or devices Proceed with experimentation Yes Can the project be carried out using the school’s resources? Consult relevant project coordinators and technicians regarding safety & availability of resources Proceed with experimentation Are there any available external resources ? No Continued next page External experts vet through protocols to ensure all safety requirements are met Projects involving potentially hazardous biological agents, substances or devices Seek approval from SRC and external experts*** *** submit after prelim round for SSEF projects

Are there any available external resources? Redesign the research or reject proposal No Redesign the research or reject proposal No Approve research plan, obtain parental consent & proceed to conduct research in external organization Yes Teacher mentors approach the organisation individually or through Research Coordinators Can the external organization accommodate the request? Yes

Risk Assessment All groups are required to do a risk assessment All groups are required to do a risk assessment Attach form (signed by mentor) to proposal for submission Attach form (signed by mentor) to proposal for submission Deadline for submission of proposal + form: 31 Mar 2011 Deadline for submission of proposal + form: 31 Mar 2011 Forms to be signed by mentor and submitted to Mdm Lim Cheng Fui (Senior Lab Manager, Science Research if you want to start lab work before 31 Mar 2011 Forms to be signed by mentor and submitted to Mdm Lim Cheng Fui (Senior Lab Manager, Science Research if you want to start lab work before 31 Mar 2011

Questions?

References Knisely Karin (2005) A student handbook for writing in Biology, 2 nd Edition. W.H. Freeman and Company. [574 Kni] Knisely Karin (2005) A student handbook for writing in Biology, 2 nd Edition. W.H. Freeman and Company. [574 Kni] Discovery school website (2006) Science Fair Studio. Available: fairstudio/handbook/scientificmethod.html [last accessed 30 Dec 06] Discovery school website (2006) Science Fair Studio. Available: fairstudio/handbook/scientificmethod.html [last accessed 30 Dec 06] fairstudio/handbook/scientificmethod.html fairstudio/handbook/scientificmethod.html VanCleave, Janice (1997) Guide to the Best Science Fair Projects. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. VanCleave, Janice (1997) Guide to the Best Science Fair Projects. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Wedgwood, Marilyn (1987) Tackling Biology Projects. Macmillian Education Limited.[570 Wed] Wedgwood, Marilyn (1987) Tackling Biology Projects. Macmillian Education Limited.[570 Wed]