Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

My current research question is "How does the key signature of a song affect it's mood?" And also (for further research) "How does a musical education affect someone's interpretation of the mood?" I feel as if these questions are not enough to form an adequate science fair project. Any suggestions as to how I can improve it?

Hi vanerac:

While your questions sound interesting, I'm not sure it is the best approach for a science fair project. Your questions sound like the responses will be more subjective than objective. Meaning, can you quantify mood with numbers (making the response objective)? Your second question definitely is more on the subjective side (subjective means more of a person's opinion versus quantifying with numbers).

Review the Science Fair Project Guide here on how to pick a topic. While there are experiments on this website involving surveys, it generally recommends picking a topic that can be measured with numbers (more objective than subjective).
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... tion.shtml

You sound like you are interested in music. Check out the Science Fair Project Ideas page. There is a section for music:
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... l?From=Tab

Also be sure to check this website for recommendations on how to phrase your research question:
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... tion.shtml

Choosing a topic and formulating your research question is probably the most difficult part of this whole process. Please don't be discouraged. Take a look at the project ideas page and write back with questions.

Good luck!
Deana