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An investigation is a piece of experimental research. To enter this category, your basic investigation topic can be independently chosen by the student or your teacher may set the topic or the variables to be tested. Students may collaborate with scientists or other associations/people that may help guide them.
Entries will be judged on the following criteria:
1. Select a question you would like answered. The question MUST relate to a scientific issue.
2. State a hypothesis you will test.
3. Identify the risks involved - Risk form
4. Design an experiment that will test your hypothesis.
5. Do your experiment.
6. Measure and carefully record the results of the experiment. This could include data, graphs, pictures, photos, sketches or a logbook.
7. Write a discussion that looks at the patterns in the results. Discuss strengths and weaknesses of the experiment, and explain how you could improve your experiment if you did it again.
8. Explain how your results could be used to address the scientific issue in question.
9. Write a conclusion that briefly explains the answer to your original question.
10. Make a list of any references you used in preparing or writing about your experiment.
All the information should then be presented in any appropriate form including a practical report, poster, photo essay, webpage or other method.
Students will be judged by the following criteria - For a printable version click here
Question
Hypothesis and Variables
Risk Assessment
Experimental method
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
References
Scientific Literacy
Entries will be judged on the following criteria:
1. Select a question you would like answered. The question MUST relate to a scientific issue.
2. State a hypothesis you will test.
3. Identify the risks involved - Risk form
4. Design an experiment that will test your hypothesis.
5. Do your experiment.
6. Measure and carefully record the results of the experiment. This could include data, graphs, pictures, photos, sketches or a logbook.
7. Write a discussion that looks at the patterns in the results. Discuss strengths and weaknesses of the experiment, and explain how you could improve your experiment if you did it again.
8. Explain how your results could be used to address the scientific issue in question.
9. Write a conclusion that briefly explains the answer to your original question.
10. Make a list of any references you used in preparing or writing about your experiment.
All the information should then be presented in any appropriate form including a practical report, poster, photo essay, webpage or other method.
Students will be judged by the following criteria - For a printable version click here
Question
- Background theory researched/explained clearly and concisely
- Writes an aim in correct format
Hypothesis and Variables
- Independent and Dependent variables correctly identified
- Controlling variables correctly and clearly stated
- Writes an hypothesis in correct format
Risk Assessment
- Complete a risk assessment stating risks and precautions to consider
Experimental method
- Equipment correctly listed, including quantities and concentrations
- Appropriate equipment selected and used
- Diagram (where appropriate) completed neatly and fully labelled
Results
- Observations (where appropriate) completed in detail.
- Results carefully measured and formatted
- Tables and graphs carefully constructed with titles, units and headings correctly done
- Photos and diagrams labelled and clear (where appropriate)
Discussion
- Pattern of results described
- Suggested reasons for results explained
- Strengths and weaknesses described and effect on results explained
- Improvements realistic and well described. Effect on results clear
Conclusion
- Results summarised and related to aim/hypothesis
References
- Correctly formatted list included where appropriate
Scientific Literacy
- Correct format used
- Correct use of scientific terms and units
- Expression clear and concise
- Good spelling and grammar