Year 9 Research Project

As part of your assessment in Science this year you will be required to complete a research investigation on some aspect of plant growth. Although some class time has been set aside for the Research Project you will need to complete most of the work at home, particularly the actual growth experiment.

This research project should help you understand scientific method and give you an opportunity to participate in scientific processes. Although you are restricted to plant growth research you still have a wide range of experimental choice from which you can select. Next year you will have the opportunity to use your new skills to prepare a research project of your own selection.

Planning

1. Scientific research involves choosing and defining a topic. Select a plant growth topic that has relevance, is realistic, within your capabilities and can be conducted at home. There must be some relevance for choosing your topic. (Original and creative topics are encouraged). For those who need assistance, there is a list of suggested topics available.
2. Ask questions about your topic -- Why?, What if?, How?
3. Form a hypothesis - this is an educated ' guess ' as to what you think will happen under a certain set of circumstances.
4. Plan your experiments thoroughly. A good design is essential to ensure appropriate scientific method. You will need to include a control and do a suitable number trials (Why?).
5. List the experimental equipment you will need.
6. List any special resources you might use or specialists who may assist your investigations.
7. Fill in the planning sheet by 11/2/09. This must include a detailed plan of your experiment. Many problems can be ironed out in the planning stage. Your teacher will then approve your project or discuss any alterations required.

Research project checklist

Whilst planning and conducting your experimental research project, you must complete the checklist attached to this course information booklet as you discuss your project with your teacher. This must be submitted with the draft & final report.

Experimenting

1. Record any successful and unsuccessful procedures and results in a log book. Photographs are also a useful way of recording results, but are not essential.
2. Be prepared to change your ideas and procedures as you get results which you do not expect.
3. Work logically through your results so as to investigate your original hypothesis.
4. Growth should be well under way and the first submission handed in by 20/3/09.

Writing the report

Your report should be typed, computer printed or neatly written on A4 paper and stapled together. All pages in the report should be numbered and a table of the contents should be included immediately after the title page. Your report should also include the following headings.

ABSTRACT: This section should be brief, giving you a good idea of what was done and what was achieved (you may prefer to put this section at the end of the project as a SUMMARY). (5 - 10 lines)

INTRODUCTION: You must complete some background research on your chosen topic. This introduction should be relevant to the topic and also explain why the topic was chosen. In addition there must be a description of the plant you have used and there must be some discussion of the factors which typically affect plant growth. (3/4 - 2 pages)

AIM: From this statement it should be clear what has been investigated and why it was investigated. This section should also include the hypothesis. (5 - 15 lines)

MATERIALS: List or description of the equipment you used. You must include photographs of your equipment.

METHOD: Make sure you consider the following:

• The method should be logical and test the hypothesis.
• Growth experiments require a number of seeds or seedlings.
• Controls and adequate/appropriate conditions should apply to minimise variables.
• If your experiment involves the effect of a chemical (eg. fertiliser, sugar etc.), then a range of concentrations should be used. (Something like 0%, 1%, 2%, 5% and 10% solutions or 0, half, recommended and twice recommended amounts of fertilisers). (3/4 - 1 page)

RESULTS and OBSERVATIONS: The presentation of data/results should be in tables, graphs and/or photographs. All students must include some photographs of their project. Photographs must be in focus and clearly show the setup of the experiment. All information should be clearly labelled. The use of spreadsheets to display your data is highly recommended. (2 - 3 pages)

DISCUSSION:

Analysis of Results.

• What do the results show?
• Do they support or disprove the hypothesis?
• Results are often poorly interpreted. Make sure you discuss trends.
• Any problems encountered should be discussed.

Analysis of Design

• Any suggestion for improvements to experimental design or data collection should be included in the discussion.
• A good ERROR ANALYSIS is also needed. How were random errors eliminated?
• What influence did conditions have on the results?
• Were there any variables not accounted for? (1 - 3 pages)

CONCLUSION: This section should be short and to the point. The conclusion should relate to the aim. Has the hypothesis been supported or disproved? (1/2 page)

BIBLIOGRAPHY: A list must be included. Research is based on background information from books or other sources (some of this information should be included in the INTRODUCTION)   How to cite and write a bibliography.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: A brief list of thank-you's to those who have assisted you with your project.
 

Assessment

This Research Project is a GRADED assessment task and is one of the Semester One work requirements. Work submitted late will not be given a grade unless prior extension has been approved by the Science teacher, Science coordinator and Year Level coordinator.

Assessment of your project will be conducted in two parts. The first four criteria will be assessed, each out of 5 marks on the first submission. This will also be a draft of the final report; your teacher will give you feedback on how the final five criteria can be improved. The final five criteria will be assessed after the final submission of the completed project. The assessement criteria are shown below.

First submission: 20/3/09.

• Thoroughness of the planning & drafting process.
• Completeness & relevance of introduction.
• Clarity of aim, hypothesis & materials.
• Clarity & presentation of method & experimental design.

Final submission: 4/5/09.

• Care and detail in obtaining & recording comprehensive results.
• Presentation & analysis of results.
• Depth & quality of discussion.
• Complete abstract, conclusion, bibliography & acknowledgments.
• Format, presentation & originality.

Please refer to the assessment sheet for details of the points your teacher may take into consideration when marking your report.

Points to consider

• All experiments must be approved by your teacher at all stages of the Research Project.
• Any student that does not submit a plan or draft will not receive a final grade.
• 20 of the total 45 marks will be determined at the time of the first submission.
• Do not do a large poster project. The required format is outlined on the previous page. Equipment/resources within the school are limited and it may not always be possible to borrow equipment for use at home.
• Do not do dangerous experiments which may be harmful to yourself or others. Check with your teacher and parents if unsure.
• Your project may be eligible for entry into the Science Talent Search or the BHP Science competition where there are prizes, and much prestige, to be won. More details about STS will be given at a later date.

Dates to remember

• Planning Form by 11/2/09.
• First submission by 20/3/09.
• Final submission by 4/5/09.