International Rules: Guidelines for Science and Engineering Fairs 2013–2014, www.societyforscience.org/isef Page 33
Research Plan Instructions
A complete research plan is required and must accompany Checklist for Student (1A)
Provide a typed research plan and attach to Student Checklist (1A). Please include your name on each page.
The research plan for ALL projects is to include the following:
A. Question or Problem being addressed
B. Goals/Expected Outcomes/Hypotheses
C. Description in detail of method or procedures (The following are important and key items that should be included
when formulating ANY AND ALL research plans.)
• Procedures: Detail all procedures and experimental design to be used for data collection
• Risk and Safety: Identify any potential risks and safety precautions to be taken.
• Data Analysis: Describe the procedures you will use to analyze the data/results that answer research questions or
hypotheses
D. Bibliography:Listatleastve(5)majorreferences(e.g.sciencejournalarticles,books,internetsites)fromyour
literature review. If you plan to use vertebrate animals, one of these references must be an animal care reference.
o Choose one style and use it consistently to reference the literature used in the research plan
o Guidelines can be found in the Student Handbook
Items 1–4 below are subject-specic guidelines for additional items to be included in your research plan as
applicable:
1. Human participants research:
• Participants. Describe who will participate in your study (age range, gender, racial/ethnic composition). Identify any
vulnerable populations (minors, pregnant women, prisoners, mentally disabled or economically disadvantaged).
• Recruitment. Wherewillyoundyourparticipants?Howwilltheybeinvitedtoparticipate?
• Methods. What will participants be asked to do? Will you use any surveys, questionnaires or tests? What is the
frequency and length of time involved for each subject?
• Risk Assessment
o Risks. What are the risks or potential discomforts (physical, psychological, time involved, social, legal, etc.) to
participants? How will you minimize the risks?
o Benets.Listanybenetstosocietyoreachparticipant.
• Protection of Privacy. Willanyidentiableinformation(e.g.,names,telephonenumbers,birthdates,email
addresses)becollected?Willdatabecondentialoranonymous?Ifanonymous,describehowthedatawillbe
collectedanonymously.Ifnotanonymous,whatproceduresareinplaceforsafeguardingcondentiality?Wherewill
the data be stored? Who will have access to the data? What will you do with the data at the end of the study?
• Informed Consent Process. Describe how you will inform participants about the purpose of the study, what they
will be asked to do, that their participation is voluntary and they have the right to stop at any time.
2. Vertebrate animal research:
• BrieydiscusspotentialALTERNATIVEStovertebrateanimaluseandpresentadetailedjusticationforuseof
vertebrate animals
• Explain potential impact or contribution this research may have
• Detail all procedures to be used
o Include methods used to minimize potential discomfort, distress, pain and injury to the animals during the
course of experimentation
o Detailed chemical concentrations and drug dosages
• Detail animal numbers, species, strain, sex, age, source, etc.
o Includejusticationofthenumbersplannedfortheresearch
• Describe housing and oversight of daily care
• Discuss disposition of the animals at the termination of the study
3. Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents:
• Describe Biosafety Level Assessment process and resultant BSL determination
• Givesourceofagent,sourceofspeciccellline,etc.
• Detail safety precautions
• Discuss methods of disposal
4. Hazardous Chemicals, Activities & Devices:
• Describe Risk Assessment process and results
• Detail chemical concentrations and drug dosages
• Describe safety precautions and procedures to minimize risk
• Discuss methods of disposal