Background Research

2 - Background Research

Background research is necessary so that you know how to design and understand the results of your experiment.

This workbook includes:

• Task 2A: Background Research Plan
• Task 2B: Find Reliable Sources and Complete Background Research
• Task 2C: Write a Research Paper

Task #2A: Background Research Plan

1. Read the Science Fair Project Background Research Plan for more information about why background research is important and how to set up a background research plan.
2. Answer the following questions to check your learning:
   1. Which of the following is NOT a reason to conduct background research before starting an experiment?
      To learn from the experience of others

      To understand the theory behind your experiment

      To figure out the right answer to your project question

      To avoid repeating mistakes others have made
      Well done! Finding the answer to your project question is not a reason to conduct background research.
      Nice try! Review the section on why background research is needed to understand the valid reasons.
   2. What is the correct order of steps in creating a background research plan?
      Identify keywords, generate research questions, conduct experiments

      Conduct experiments, identify keywords, generate research questions

      Identify keywords, generate research questions, throw out irrelevant questions

      Generate research questions, identify keywords, throw out irrelevant questions
      Correct! The steps are to identify keywords, generate research questions, and throw out irrelevant questions.
      Nice try! Review the section on making a background research plan to understand the correct order of steps.
   3. How do the "question words" (why, how, who, what, when, where) help in creating a background research plan?
      They help in formatting the final report

      They generate relevant research questions from your keywords

      They provide a list of references

      They help in conducting experiments
      Correct! The "question words" help generate relevant research questions from your keywords.
      Nice try! Review the section on using the question words table to generate research questions.
   4. Which of the following is NOT an example of a relevant research question?
      Why do batteries happen?

      How does one measure voltage?

      What causes voltage to increase/decrease?

      When was voltage discovered?
      Correct! This research question does not make sense will not help you understand the background of your research topic.
      Nice try! Review the section on using the question words table to figure out how to tell if a question is relevant or not.
3. Identify Your Project Question: What question is your project trying to answer? Look back at ‘Ask a Question’ if you don’t remember your question.
   Your Project Question:
4. List Key Vocabulary Terms or Concepts: Make a list of keywords and important concepts you will need to research and understand better to complete your project. If you are using a Science Buddies project, you can use the project Introduction and list of Terms and Concepts.

5. Develop Research Questions:

   • Use your keywords to build some questions to guide your background research. Develop at least 2-3 questions for each “question word” in the table below. If you are using a Science Buddies project, you can also use the Questions section to help you.

   • Substitute your keywords (or versions of them) for the blanks in the middle column. Write down the relevant questions in this column. Put an asterisk ( * ) next to the top 3-4 questions you need to research.

   • Review this Science Fair Project Background Research Plan to learn more about how to complete the question table below and for examples of what types of questions you might develop.

   • Remember to document your background research questions in your lab notebook.

   Question Word Table
   Swipe left to see more

   Question Word	Possible Questions  (you can think of others)	Your Questions Substitute your keywords (or versions of them) for the blanks in the middle column. Write down the relevant questions in this column. Put an asterisk (*) next to the top 3-4 questions you need to research.
   Why	Why does ____ happen? Why does ____ ____? Why ____________?
   How	How does ____ happen? How does ____ work? How does ____ detect ____? How does one measure ____? How do we use ____? How ____________?
   Who	Who needs ____? Who discovered ____? Who invented ____? Who ____________?
   What	What causes ____ to increase/decrease? What is ____ made of? What are the characteristics of ____? What is the relationship between ____ and ____? What do we use ____ for? What ____________?
   When	When does ____ cause ____? When was ____ discovered? When ____________?
   Where	Where does ____ occur? Where was ____ discovered? Where ____________?

Task #2B: Find Reliable Sources and Complete Background Research

1. Read Finding Information for Your Research Paper to learn more about how to find reliable sources of information for your background research.
2. Answer the following questions to check your learning:
   1. Which is NOT a characteristic of a good source of information or reference?
      It is hard for others to find or obtain

      It isn’t too old

      It comes from a credible source

      It is free of errors

      It properly cites the original source of all information
      Correct! A good source should be easy for others to find or obtain, not hard to access.
      Nice try! Review the section on what makes a good reference to find the correct answer to this question.
   2. Which of the following is a reliable way to find general information for background research?
      Reading blog posts from unknown authors

      Consulting encyclopedias, textbooks, or websites written by experts in the field

      Using social media posts

      Browsing random websites
      Great job! Consulting encyclopedias, textbooks, or expert websites are reliable ways to find general information for background research.
      Nice try! Refer to the section on finding information to learn about reliable sources for background research.
   3. Which is NOT a reason to cite your sources and create a list of resources used?
      To demonstrate the accuracy and thoroughness of your research

      To give credit to the original authors

      To allow others to find the information

      To make your project look longer
      Correct! Making your project look longer is not a valid reason to cite your sources and create a list of resources used.
      Nice try! Review the section on citing sources to understand the valid reasons for doing so.

3. Find Reliable Resources:

   • Use the keywords, questions, and key formulas/equations from your Background Research Plan to find reliable resources to complete your research.
   • You can find resources using a web search or from the library.
   • If you are using a Science Buddies project, you may also use the resources provided in the Bibliography section.
   • You should find at least 3 resources, but feel free to add additional rows as needed.
   • Take careful notes on each resource, being sure to focus your notes on answering the key questions you identified.
   • *Remember to document your background research in your lab notebook. You can fill out, print, and glue the table below into your notebook OR handwrite a similar table in your notebook.
   Keep track of your research in the table below OR create a similar table in a document and share the link to the document here:
   Resource & Research Table

   Swipe left to see more

   Keyword(s)/ Question(s)/ Formula You Are Researching	Resource Link or Book Name	Resource Checklist	Your Research Notes
   Example: What is protein? Why do humans need protein?	Example: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK218739/	Credible? Current? Objective? Error-free? Cites original sources? Easy to access?	Example: Makes up ¾ of most human tissues Macromolecules needed for almost every function in the body Body needs 9 essential amino acids in proteins Etc.
   		Credible? Current? Objective? Error-free? Cites original sources? Easy to access?
   		Credible? Current? Objective? Error-free? Cites original sources? Easy to access?
   		Credible? Current? Objective? Error-free? Cites original sources? Easy to access?
   		Credible? Current? Objective? Error-free? Cites original sources? Easy to access?
   		Credible? Current? Objective? Error-free? Cites original sources? Easy to access?
   		Credible? Current? Objective? Error-free? Cites original sources? Easy to access?
   		Credible? Current? Objective? Error-free? Cites original sources? Easy to access?
   		Credible? Current? Objective? Error-free? Cites original sources? Easy to access?
   		Credible? Current? Objective? Error-free? Cites original sources? Easy to access?
   		Credible? Current? Objective? Error-free? Cites original sources? Easy to access?

   Add Row

4. A resource list is a list of the books, websites, and other resources you used to gather information for your science project. It's important because it shows where you got your information and gives credit to the original authors. To create your resource list, write down all the resources you used. You will need this list when you create your final project presentation.

   Check with your teacher to clarify whether they prefer you to include only the page name, author, and link or if they require a complete citation formatted according to MLA or APA style.

   Resource List

Task #2C: Write a Research Paper

1. Read Writing a Research Paper for Your Science Fair Project to learn about the purpose of a research paper and how to write one. Review How to Write a Bibliography in APA and MLA styles With Examples to learn how to properly cite resources in your paper using in-text citations.
2. Answer the following questions to check your learning:
   1. What is NOT a key piece of information a research paper should include?
      The history of similar experiments or inventions

      Definitions of important words and concepts related to the experiment

      Mathematical formulas needed to describe the results

      Personal opinions about the experiment's outcome
      Correct! A research paper should be based on factual information, not personal opinions.
      Review the Writing a Research Paper for Your Science Fair Project resource to determine what key information you should include in your research paper.
   2. What is the primary purpose of your research paper in a science fair project?
      To provide a detailed list of all materials used

      To summarize the background research and explain why the experiment turns out the way it does

      To present a biography of the scientists you researched

      To create a fictional story related to your experiment
      Correct! The primary purpose of your research paper is to summarize the background research and explain the reasons behind your experiment's results.
      Review the Writing a Research Paper for Your Science Fair Project resource to explain the purpose of a research paper.
3. Write Your Research Paper: Write your research paper in a separate document. Make sure it meets all the requirements in the checklist.
   1. Research Paper Checklist:
      All important terms are defined.
      All research questions are clearly answered.
      Background research enables you to predict what will occur in your experiment, and it gives you enough knowledge to understand your observations.
      Your research includes the following:
      Currently accepted theories, facts, and data
      Relevant mathematics/equations (if applicable)
      Key discoveries and early researchers
      All information and images that were copied or rephrased from another source are referenced in the bibliography.
      Your research paper includes:
      A title page
      Your report
      Bibliography
      Your research paper uses proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
   2. Link to research paper (or print it):