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Project Research
After you have completed the topic research and selected a topic, you are ready to begin your project research. This research is generally more thorough than topic research. Project research is the process of collecting information from knowledgeable sources, such as books, magazines, software, librarians, teachers, parents, scientists, or other professionals. It is also data collected from exploratory experimentation. Read widely on the topic you selected so that you understand it and know about the findings of others. Be sure to give credit where credit is due and record all information and data in your journal.
How successful you are with your project will depend largely on how well you understand your topic. The more you read and question people who know something about your topic, the broader your understanding will be. As a result, it will be easier for you to explain your project to other people, especially a science fair judge. There are two basic kinds of research—primary and secondary.
Use Your Research
After you have completed your project research, you are ready to use the information and data collected to express the problem, propose a hypothesis, and design and perform one or more project experiments. The project research will also be useful in writing the project report. The next section, A Sample Project, will guide you step-by-step through a sample project from start to finish.
From Janice VanCleave's Guide to the Best Science Fair Projects, Janice VanCleave (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1997)
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