REQUIREMENTS FOR THE INVESTIGATORY PROJECTS

I. Content

• Apply/demonstrate scientific principles or attempt to provide new knowledge;
• Be a result of continuing or parallel scientific research and investigation & not a copy of any previous research;
• Have socio-economic significance and relevance to livelihood development; and
• Contribute to the advancement of S&T and the development of the community.

II. Physical Set-up/Visual Display

The physical set-up must be attractive and informative. Interested spectators and judges should easily asses the study and the results obtained. Use clear and concise displays. Make headings stand-out, draw graphs and diagrams clearly and label them correctly. A one-page project abstract must be posted in one corner of the booth. Be sure to adhere to the size limitations and safety rules when preparing the display.

The maximum size of project display must be:

76 cm (30 inches) deep
122 cm (48 inches) wide
183 cm (40 inches) high excluding table

A Sample Diagram of a Science Fair Display

NOT ALLOWED AT PROJECT OR IN BOOTH:

1. Living organisms, including plants
2. Human or animal food
3. Human/animal parts or body fluids (for example, blood, urine)
4. Preserved vertebrate or invertebrate animals
5. Plant materials (living, dead or preserved) which are in their raw, unprocessed or non-manufactured state
6. Laboratory/household chemicals
7. Poisons, drugs, hazardous substances or devices
8. Dry ice or other sublimating solids
9. Sharp items (for example, syringes, needles, knives)
10. Flames or highly flammable materials
11. Batteries with open-top cells
12. Photographs depicting vertebrate animals in surgical techniques, dissections, improper handling methods and improper housing conditions
13. Glasswares
14. Computer units & peripherals

III. Abstract

Should consist of short, concise descriptions of the problem & its solution. It must be typewritten in the IPSF Official Abstract Form, one page only, single-spaced with a maximum of 250 words, in Times Roman style, font

The abstract must state the following:

1. Purpose
2. Procedure Used
3. Results
4. Conclusion

IV. Research Paper

The research paper for an IPSF entry should contain the following:

1. Problem/s
2. Objectives
3. Methods & Procedures (described in detail)
4. Results
5. Conclusions and Recommendations
6. Bibliography (at least 3 major references)

III. Format of Research Paper

The project write-up must be typewritten double-spaced in short bond paper (8”x11”) and follows the following format:

• Title Page – title of the project must be brief, simple and catchy.
• Abstract - should consist of short, concise descriptions of the problem & its solution. It must be one page only, single-spaced with a maximum of 250 words, typewritten in Times Roman style; font 11. It must also state the following:
1. Purpose
2. Procedure used
3. Results
4. Conclusion

• Acknowledgement – contains the names of people & agencies that helped in the conduct of the work described.
• Table of Contents – lists the different parts of the whole report with the corresponding page number of each part. The wording & grammar of the chapter titles, heading & title of tables & figures should be consistent.
• Introduction – informs the reader of the problem under study. It shows the nature of scope and the problem, its historical & theoretical background & a review of literature relevant to the problem.
1. Background of the Study- states the rationale of the study. It explains briefly why the investigator chose this study to work on.
2. Statement of Problem/Objectives – the nature & scope of the problem should be presented with clarity. Two types of objectives maybe stated:

1. General Objective – this is related to the problem as given in the early part of the section.
2. Specific Objective – this states the purpose of each experiment conducted.

3. Significance of the Study- the importance of the study is explained in this part.
4. Scope and Limitations – states the coverage & extent of the study.
5. Review of Related Literature – sufficient background information should be presented for readers to understand & evaluate the results of the present study. Only the most important studies and theories written on the topic should be included.
• Methodology – provides enough details so that a competent worker can repeat the experiments.

1. Materials/Equipment – the exact technical specifications, quantities and source of method of preparation for all materials used should be given. Specifically built equipment used in the study must be described and the description accompanied
   by a picture.
2. Treatment/General Procedure – the manner & sequence by which each experiment or set of observations were done & how measurements were obtained should be described in detail. Avoid using the “recipe style” when stating the step-by-step procedure. Use the narrative form in the past tense.

• Results and Discussion – this maybe divided into sub-sections describing each set of
  experiment or observations.

1. Findings – the data maybe presented in full & discussed descriptively in the text or these maybe summarized in tables, pictures & graphs. The statistical test used to determine the possible significance of the finding should be described. Tables, pictures & graphs should make the presentation of the data more meaningful.
2. Analysis of Data – the interpretation of the findings are discussed & the significant features shown in the table, figures or graphs are pointed out.

• Conclusions – the general truth implied or illustrated by the results should be clearly stated. The evidence based on the results should be summarized for each statement.
• Recommendations – consists of suggestions on future actions such as a new direction of research or further experiments to be performed, practices that might be adapted or discarded in order to attain certain goals or objectives.
• Bibliography – a list of the references used in guiding the research work and writing the paper.