What is research and how should it be displayed? What do I need to do research? How do I present what I am doing?

What is research?  It is an organized way to go about answering a question  First, you need to find a topic, get information on a topic, and rank you information - sourcessources  Then, you must develop a hypothesis

Credible Sources Usually government publications and university materials have good facts Be careful because some of the sources may be from biased organizations that give one point of view Quiz

Credible sources  “Wikepedia” is NOT ALLOWED to be cited at all in the MATES Science Department. Wikepedia

What next  Develop your hypothesis. It should be a statement that gives a prediction “There should be more hermit crabs in Barnegat Bay in the summer versus the winter due to increased temperatures.” Sometimes, you can substitute an “Objective” for a Hypothesis (i.e., to determine something)

1. Hypothesis or Objective  Be sure to have a hypothesis to make a simple statement about you think will happen  Using an Objective – be sure that it is is clear determination about your research (i.e., to determine the effect of nutrients on growth of ivy plants)

Once you have hypothesis or Objective… Make sure that your experiment includes.. 1. A solid methodology with appropriate steps and a control 2. Make data form(s), maintain records 3. Perform at least three (3) trials

2. Introduction  Make sure that you write some basic information about your topic that supports why you are conducting the research with background.  Write about what you are trying to prove or show

3. Methods  This gives the procedure you are using in an organized way including the experiment and the equipment you are using (could be bulleted).  Give basic details, but do not get into too much detail.

4. Results  Provide “Tables” or data series with your results  For a review, create your own data table using the key information from the studies that you researched  On poster, could be tables and graphs and a non-written section

Crunching the Numbers

5. Discussion (Poster)  This is a key part that shows what the results were supporting or disputing and how they relate to your hypothesis.  This part usually refers to the references and what they mean and describes why the results happened the way they did (could be bulleted)

Referring to a Graph (called a Figure)

6. Conclusion This is the take home message that should be two to three sentences and gives the significance of your results. It can include Future Ideas, Studies, etc… Usually written in paragraph form.

6. Future studies… (Can be included in Conclusion)  This tells what you could have did differently or will do the next time

7. Acknowledgements  Always remember to thank everyone who helped, gave resources, and/or guidance

8. References  Important aspect of the presentation showing all references.  You should use APAP or MLA works cited format to list the articles and sites used.  Should be a lot smaller in font than the rest of the poster material!

9. Abstract (Paragraph format)  This is a summary of the entire project and should be written last, but presented first (approximately 200 words)  Never use citations in abstracts!

Poster  This is a way to show your research in an organized and professional manner!  It should be neat, clearly displayed and mention the key facts and data to support (or reject) your hypothesis

Examples…  Alex Lebron ‘07– NJ Award Winning Presentation Alex Lebron ‘07  Mr. Wnek – Terrapin Research Presentation Mr. Wnek

Tables and Data Sets… Table 1. Total mark and recapture data of female terrapins landing on N. Sedge Island ( ) with 2004 data included. Year No. New Females Captured Nesting No. New Females Recaptured Nesting Same Season No. Nesting Females Recaptured from Previous Year (s) Total No. Nesting Females Observed Total * Tables are described on the top of the actual table!

Graphs, Diagrams and Pictures Figure 7. Average Phosphate Reduction per Trial Figure 6. Total 8-day Phosphate Reduction Figure 7. Average Phosphate Reduction per Trial Notice how Alex has this labeled as a “figure” and below the graph

Pictures are also Figures… Figure 8. Female diamondback Terrapin, Malaclemys terrapin.

Source Quiz The average population of Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtles is now 15,000 females. The average population of Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtles is now 50,000 females