Science Fair Research Science Fair Research Using APA format By Mrs. Livermore M.S.L.S, M.Ed.

2 Getting started Write experimental question (Can it be tested?) Gather background information (use scholarly sources: databases) Gather research information (6 sources: Only 2 web sites) Have an adult read it

3 Experimental question guidelines When you have written your experimental question make sure that: It can be tested You are able to gather data from the results and graph them or use a chart There is enough information to write a research paper. Create guiding research questions to help you focus your search: The history How is it made How does it work Military uses, other applications Additional information related to the project

4 Avoid Plagiarism Citation Information Summary of what you will use in your research paper. Between half a page and one full page On the back of this paper write down “Direct quotations that you may use in your paper.” (Author, Year) Each time you find a source for your research, write down the citation information and summarize what you have read.

Citing a Book Gardner, R. (2010). Ace your math and measuring science fair project. Berkeley Heights: Enslow Publishers. Print Citation Author’s name Title of book Publisher’s information: name, city & year This information is found on the title page

Citing a web page Web Citation Author’s name ** Title of web document URL address Copyright year Franklin University. (n/a). Science fair projects. Retrieved from projects.org/ **Verify author’s credentials.

Citing an image Image Citation Artist’s name Title image URL address Type of image DaVinci, L. (Artist). Da Vinci’s Parachute [Print Drawing]. Retrieved from and-a-genius/ You must cite an image if you are using one in your research.

8 Gather Information Using the web Verify author’s credentials Create a citation using a citation engine You can only use 2 web site sources Using Databases No need to verify author’s credentials Databases are not web site sources The database creates the citation You may use as many databases as you can Home hornedolibrary.org

9 Works Cited Page Citation guidelines: 1 inch margins Times New Roman size 12 Double spaced Alphabetize by first letter Make a “hang indent” after the 1 st line of a citation