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Project Research: Primary Research
Primary research is information you collect on your own. This includes information from exploratory experiments you perform, surveys you take, interviews, and responses to your letters.
Interview people who have special knowledge about your topic. These can include teachers, doctors, scientists, or others whose careers require them to know something related to your topic. Let's say your topic is about the speed of dinosaurs. "Who would know about dinosaurs?" Start with your science teacher. He or she may have a special interest in dinosaurs or know someone who does. Is there a museum with dinosaur exhibits nearby? Owners of rock and mineral shops may have an interest in fossils and could provide information. Contact the geology department of a local university.
Before contacting the persons you want to interview, be prepared. You can get ready for the interview by making a list of questions that you want to ask. You can also discuss what you know about your topic with someone who knows nothing about it. In so doing, you will be forced to organize your thinking and may even discover additional questions to add to your list. When your list is complete, you are ready to make your call. Simple rules of courtesy, such as the following, will better ensure that the person you call will be willing to help:
- Identify yourself.
- Identify the school you attend and your teacher.
- Briefly explain why you are calling. Include information about your project and explain how the person can help you.
- Request an interview time that is convenient for the person. This could be either a telephone or a face-to-face interview. Be sure to say that the interview will take 20 to 30 minutes.
- Ask if you may tape-record the interview. You can get more information if you are not trying to write down all the answers.
- It may be that the person will be free when you call, so be prepared to start the interview then.
- Be on time, and be ready to start the interview immediately. Also, be courteous and end the interview on time.
- Thank the person for the time given and the information provided.
- You should send a written thank-you note after the interview, so be sure to record the person's name and address.
 You may write letters requesting information instead of interviewing or in addition to interviewing. Check at the end of articles in periodicals for lists of names and addresses where more information can be obtained. Your librarian can assist you in locating current periodicals related to your topic. If your project deals with a household product, check the packaging for the address of the manufacturer.
Send your letter to the public relations department. Ask for all available printed material about your topic. Send your letter as soon as possible to allow time for material to be sent. You can use a form letter similar to the one shown here to make it easier to send it to as many different people and organizations as you can find.
From Janice VanCleave's Guide to the Best Science Fair Projects, Janice VanCleave (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1997)
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