CHAPTER 03
Designing Your
Research
A competitive project is built on a solid plan. In this chapter, you'll learn how to craft a focused research question, design meaningful experiments, find a mentor, and create a plan that will keep your project on track from start to finish.
3.1Crafting a Strong Research Question
Your research question is the foundation of your entire project. It guides your methodology, shapes your analysis, and determines the impact of your findings. A strong question keeps your research focused and meaningful.
Core Qualities of a Strong Research Question
Focused
Narrow enough to answer fully in the scope of your project
Complex
Requires deep thinking, investigation, or analysis. Not a quick search.
Arguable
Invites discussion and multiple possible outcomes.
Researchable
Based on real data and evidence beyond personal opinion
✗ Too Broad
How can we stop climate change?
✓ Stronger
How does biochar concentration affect nitrate removal from agricultural runoff?
✗ Too Simple
What is CRISPR?
✓ Stronger
How does CRISPR-Cas9 efficiency vary across different guide RNA designs?
✗ Not Arguable
Is exercise healthy?
✓ Stronger
Which resistance training protocol produces the greatest increase in grip strength among high school athletes?
Ask yourself:
- Can I collect data?
- Do I have access to the necessary materials?
- Can this be completed in one school year?
How to Draft a Research Question
Step 1: Identify Your Variables - Ask yourself: what am I changing? (Independent Variable), what am I measuring? (Dependent Variable), and what am I keeping the same? (Controlled Variables).
- Ex: Independent variable = microplastic concentration. Dependent Variable = plant growth
Step 2: Narrow Your Scope - Most first drafts are far too broad. Your goal is to make your question specific enough to investigate within one research project.
- Ex: "How does the concentration of polyethylene microplastics in soil affect the growth of Arabidopsis thaliana over four weeks?"
Step 3: Refine and Evaluate - Now turn your idea into an open-ended question.
- Ex: "How does increasing polyethylene microplastic concentration in soil affect the growth rate and chlorophyll content of Arabidopsis thaliana over a four-week growth period?
3.2Experimental Design
Every science fair project starts with an idea, a question, or a problem. The methodology you choose is simply the tool you use to find the answer. Choosing the right tool makes the project easy to execute and highly competitive.
Experimental Research
Test a cause-and-effect hypothesis by changing one variable and measuring the result in a controlled lab environment.
Ex: Testing how different concentrations of microplastics in soil affect the root length and germination rate of radish seeds.
Engineering Design
Design, build, and test a device or system to solve a specific problem, refining the design through multiple iterations based on testing results.
Ex: Designing and building a low-cost water filtration device, then testing and redesigning it across several prototypes to improve how effectively it removes contaminants.
Computer Science and Coding
Write software, optimize code algorithms, or train machine learning networks to automate tasks and process data.
Ex: Programming a custom neural network that analyzes audio files of coughs to accurately predict whether a patient has bronchitis.
Theoretical Mathematics
Use logic, formulas, and proofs to discover new mathematical patterns or solve abstract numerical puzzles.
Ex: Developing a new mathematical formula or geometric model to optimize the efficiency of packing irregularly shaped packages into shipping containers.
Observational Study
Record, track, and analyze natural behaviors or environmental patterns exactly as they exist without interfering.
Ex: Monitoring how urban light pollution influences nocturnal bat activity using passive acoustic sensors across multiple locations.
Behavioral & Social Science
Study human or animal psychology, memory, and habits using ethical testing, surveys, or controlled observation.
Ex: Investigating if high school students retain information better when reading from a physical textbook versus a digital screen by testing them after reading the same passage.
Meta-Analysis & Systematic Review
Statistically combine data from dozens of already published studies to find new trends.
Ex: Pooling data from 25 separate published medical studies to determine if a specific dietary supplement consistently lowers blood pressure across different age groups.
Simulation & Modeling
Create a digital replica of a complex real-world system to safely test "what-if" scenarios and predictions.
Ex: Creating a digital simulation of a local coastal town to predict how different sea-wall heights and storm-surge levels will impact neighborhood flooding.
Product Testing (Elementary-Middle)
Set strict, unbiased performance metrics to test and compare different commercial brands of a consumer product.
Ex: Testing four major brands of AA batteries to see which one powers a toy motor longest.
3.3Finding a Mentor
A mentor can help you refine your ideas, avoid common pitfalls, and see possibilities you might not have considered. However, a mentor is not required to do meaningful research or succeed at science fairs. Many students complete award-winning projects with determination, curiosity, and the resources available to them.
Why Finding a Mentor Is Valuable
- Get expert feedback and advice.
- Gain access to resources, equipment, or lab experience.
- Learn from their experience and mistakes.
- Open doors to future opportunities.
It's Not Necessary, But It Helps
You can absolutely design, conduct, and complete a strong research project on your own. Thousands of students do it every year.
Inability to find a mentor should never be the barrier to starting research.
Keep Trying, Even If You Don't Hear Back
- Most mentors are busy and may not respond.
- Rejection is normal.
- You might need to reach out to 30+ people before one response.
- The more people you reach out to, the higher your chances are.
Where to Find Mentors
- Teachers - Science, math, or other teachers who know your work ethic and interests.
- University Professors - Look at university websites for faculty research areas. Email professors whose work aligns with your interests.
- Researchers at Institutions - Hospitals, research labs, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations.
- Science Fairs and Competitions - Judges, alumni, and organizers can be valuable contacts.
- Online Communities - ResearchGate, LinkedIn, or discipline-specific forums and groups.
- Family and Personal Network - Don't underestimate the power of your extended network.
Email Tips
Keep it brief and concise.
Make sure to look up your prospective mentor and their research before reaching out: it's important to express interest in their work.
Don't immediately ask for months of mentorship in the first email. Instead, ask for advice, resources, or request a 15-minute meeting to discuss your research.
Follow Up
Even if a mentor can't directly help you, keep the connection alive. Send a polite follow-up email after a few weeks if you don't hear back.
Once your research is complete, send them a brief update or a copy of your final research. Many mentors appreciate seeing the impact of their field and may remember you for future opportunities.
3.4Formulating a Research Plan
The next step is to formulate a research plan. There are two basic rules that ISEF requires you follow:
- "The Research Plan is to be written prior to experimentation."
- "If changes are made during the research before competing at an affiliated fair, such changes must be added as an addendum to the original plan. Be aware that some changes may require obtaining or returning to the IRB or SRC for appropriate review and approvals before conducting that portion of the project. If there are no changes, an addendum is not required"
What to Include
Subject-Specific Additions
Human Participants Research
- Who: Describe participant demographics.
- How you'll recruit them.
- What they will do and how long it will take.
- Risks and how you'll reduce them.
- Privacy: What info is collected, how it's protected/stored.
- Informed Consent: How you'll explain the study, that it's voluntary, and that they can stop anytime.
Animal Research
- Why are animals needed and alternatives you considered.
- How the study could help or contribute to knowledge.
- Procedures, including how you'll minimize pain and stress.
- Numbers, species, age, source, and why these numbers.
- Housing and daily care.
- What will happen to the animals after the study.
Biological Agents
- Source of the organism.
- BSL and how you determined it.
- Safety precautions you will use.
- How materials will be disposed of safely.
Hazardous Chemicals, Activities, & Devices
- How you assessed risks
- Safety measures, supervision, and controls.
- Specific disposal methods.
- Review Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and reference them.
Note that this is merely an overview of requirements for the research plan. Check out the official "Research Plan/Project Addendum" form to get the full outline.