How to Do a Scientific Term Paper

Scientific research helps us to solve problems and test new ideas.

A scientific term paper is a research paper in which a scientific question is tested and the answers are analyzed. The purpose of your term paper is not to prove that your hypothesis is correct but to provide the information needed to understand why your experiment turned out as it did. It is important to keep accurate notes throughout the research, writing and testing process. Your term paper should demonstrate an understanding of scientific terminology, testing methods and theories taught throughout the term.

Instructions

1. Read extensively about the topic of your term paper and take detailed notes. As you read, consider questions that occur to you which will require research to answer. For example, if the topic of your term paper is related to the growth of healthy indoor plants, you may be curious to know if homemade, organic plant food may have a noticeable effect on a plant's growth rate. Once you make this question into a testable hypothesis, it can be the subject of your term paper.

2. Construct your testable hypothesis. A hypothesis is an educated guess made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation. To construct it, you must first decide on your question and be sure it is testable. Consider the best ways to investigate your question. Review the project guidelines and be certain that your test methods are plausible and acceptable by your instructor. Based on your research and knowledge of your topic, make an educated guess as to what the results of your experiment will prove. Write your guess in this commonly used format: "If [I do this], then [this] will occur." Here's an example:

   "If I feed my Alocasia plant homemade, organic plant food, then it will grow faster than my Alocasia plant that will receive water as its only nourishment."

   You now have a testable hypothesis.

3. Conduct your experiment. To do so, generally speaking, you as the researcher will observe a specimen, manipulate a variable and analyze the consequences. It is important to know what variables you need to test and to test one variable at a time. Take notes on the items you have used, why you have used them and any relevant conditions that may affect the outcome of the experiment. Your notes should be detailed enough that if another researcher were to duplicate your experiment, he would obtain the same results. At this point, you may also consider developing graphs, charts, photographs or any documentation that will help you examine and present details about the test in your term paper.

4. Record your results and analyze them once your experiment is complete to determine if your hypothesis is true or false. If your results prove false, consider why and write down your observations and assumptions. Also include what you have learned from your experiment. Complete your final report by summarizing your question, research methods and conclusion. Many instructors require that scientific term papers include the following sections in the final report: title page, introduction, experimentation method, results and conclusion. See your instructor's guidelines for required format.

Tips & Warnings

• Pay attention to assignments given throughout the term, as they may help you understand important information about researching, experimenting and documenting.

• As you study, document the requested details of each book, magazine and Internet resource used in your research. List them in your bibliography in the required format.

• Term papers often represent a larger than average percentage of your grade than a regular report. Also, they often take more time. Begin your term paper as early as possible so that you can present your best work and enjoy the process.

References

• "How to Write Themes and Term Papers"; Barbara Lenmark Ellis; 1989

Resources

• "How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper"; Robert A. Day, et al.; 2006