On-Line Seminar, Fall 1997

Lesson 4: Writing the Formal Research Paper

The purpose of the formal research paper is to convey a sense of your total project in a clear and concise fashion. It should be written in narrative form, incorporating all the key information needed to thoroughly explain every aspect of your research. Specific weaknesses that were pointed out during the oral presentation of your project should be addressed and rectified in your final report. Information provided must include:

• your specific focus problem and hypothesis



• a brief discussion of the background research that provided the basis for the development of your project



• an overview of the procedure involved, making sure you emphasize what were the variables and controls used in the experiment(s)



• a clear presentation of measured data, calculated values and mathematical analysis of your results



• your interpretations of the significance of the results, including practical applications.

Write all balanced, chemical equations for any reactions involved. Draw structural formulas for chemical compounds when necessary. For any unusual apparatus used, provide a clearly labeled diagram of the set-up and explain the function of each part. Select the best method to illustrate the outcomes of your experiment, such as charts, graphs, and video images. Show the methods used to quantitatively measure any differences in the results, including specific mathematical formulas and sample calculations. Discuss the reliability of these methods in terms of their accuracy and precision. Based upon the outcomes of your experimentation, state what the solution is to your original problem. Was the hypothesis a valid assumption? Describe any further variations in the experiment that can be done to provide more support to your conclusions.

Technical Requirements:

The paper must be typed or wordprocessed with no spelling or grammar errors, and should be 1000-3000 words in length. All pages should be double-spaced writing with 1" margins on all sides. Begin with a centered, title page, having a descriptive title of your project, your name and the date. Use parenthetical documentation(which indicates the author and page numbers cited) within the text of your paper to cite sources used as specific references. Examples of this type of documentation can be found at MLA Parenthetical Citation. At the end of your paper, include a page listing the "Works Cited" and a second page for a complete bibliography of all reference materials which you found that were related to your project. All papers must be turned in on or before the required due date, so plan accordingly. Technology malfunctions, equipment failures or other disasters are NOT acceptable excuses.

NO RESEARCH PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THE DUE DATE OF MONDAY, MARCH 9th!!!

Registration to Participate in the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science Fair

Your school must be registered with the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science in order for you to be able to participate in the PJAS Regional Meeting and present your project to be judged by fellow scientists. For more information on how to register your school in your area, contact the Pennsylvania Academy of Science Office, 2201 Forest Hills Drive, Suite 7B, Harrisburg, PA 17112; phone 717-540-7014 or check out their website at PAS

Each student must also register their individual projects by submitting a Student Registration Form and an Abstract Form describing their project. Unfortunately, at this time PJAS does not have the capability to allow students to register electronically, but copies of the forms can be downloaded from this site by clicking on the links below:

Click here to download the PJAS Student Registration Form.

Click here to download the PJAS Abstract Form.

Presenter(s) for this seminar:

Mark A. Case

Emmaus HS, 851 North St., Emmaus, PA 18049

The Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation webmaster@woodrow.org
CN 5281, Princeton NJ 08543-5281 Tel: (609) 452-7007 Fax: (609) 452-0066