The Research Paper

Team Research Papers are allowed again this year, with up to three members on the team. A research paper consists of student or team (grades 6–12 registered for the Middle School/Senior High Division) which is either (A) the written presentation of your investigation and experimentation–Investigative Research, or (B) a Library Research. The Library Research should not be "A Book Report", but should be an investigation and comparison of divergent theories collected. Separate judging criteria are established for both categories of papers. Scientific thought and procedures will receive major credit in the judging. Judging criteria for library research papers will heavily stress the analysis and application of the research data and the depth of the research effort (quality and quantity of the references). Research Papers which are done by Library Research standards, will not qualify or be advanced on for the State level.

All submitted SC/SW MN Regional Science & Engineering Fair research papers are read prior to the regional fair by MSU Faculty. The top papers will then compete at the Regional Science Fair with an oral presentation. Each student/school will need to provide their own laptop and cords if selected to present at the regional fair.

Length of paper

The paper should be a minimum of 5-6 pages and a maximum of 20 pages, including appendices. Please use fonts: Times, Times New Roman or Arial, double space with 10-12 point font size, preferrably with 1" margins.

Cover Page

The cover page states the student's name, school name and address, title of the research, grade in school, name of the advisor and category of the research. Make your title concise but also descriptive. Your title should indicate the nature of your research, not the entire content. The best titles are usually ten (10) words or less.

Abstract

An abstract of no more than 250 words must be included before the title page.

Judging

Papers will be judged solely on this year's work. Be sure that it is clear to the judges what this year's work is.

Deadline

Three (3) copies of the research paper need to be postmarked no later than January 7, 2013 OR electronic files in PDF format may be sent (to science.fair@mnsu.edu) to the Science Fair office no later than 9:00a.m. on Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at 9:00am.