Science Fair ResearchScience Fair Research

Using APA formatUsing APA format

By By Mrs. Livermore M.S.L.S, Mrs. Livermore M.S.L.S, M.Ed.M.Ed.

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Getting startedGetting 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

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Experimental question Experimental question guidelinesguidelines

When you have written your experimental question makesure that:1. It can be tested2. You are able to gather data from the results and graph them

or use a chart.3. There is enough information to write a research paper.Create guiding research questions to help you focus your

search:The history How is it madeHow does it workMilitary uses, other applicationsAdditional information related to the project

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Avoid PlagiarismAvoid PlagiarismCitation

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 CitationAuthor’s nameTitle of bookPublisher’s

information: name, city & year

This information is found on the title page

Citing a web page

Web CitationAuthor’s name **

Title of web document

URL addressCopyright year

Franklin University. (n/a). Science fair projects. Retrieved from http://www.sciencefair- projects.org/

**Verify author’s credentials.

Citing an image

Image CitationArtist’s nameTitle image

URL addressType of image

DaVinci, L. (Artist). Da Vinci’s Parachute [Print Drawing]. Retrieved from http://graphology-world.com/leonardo-da-vinci-an-inventor- and-a-genius/

You must cite an image if you are using one in your research.

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Gather InformationGather InformationUsing the webVerify author’s credentialsCreate a citation using a citation engineYou can only use 2 web site sourcesUsing DatabasesNo need to verify author’s credentialsDatabases are not web site sourcesThe database creates the citationYou may use as many databases as you

can

Researching @ Homehornedolibrary.org

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Works CitedPage

Citation guidelines:1 inch marginsTimes New Roman size 12Double spacedAlphabetize by first letterMake a “hang indent” after the 1st line of a citation