How to Create a Middle School Research Project

If you are a middle school student and you have been assigned a research project, completing it may seem like a daunting task. But with the right preparation and techniques, it can be a breeze. The specifics of doing a research project may vary by teacher, but the general steps remain the same across the board.

Things You'll Need

• Internet access
• Reference sources
• Pencil/Paper

Instructions

Beginning Your Research

1. Unless you have been assigned a specific topic, choose a topic to research. Make sure it is something you are interested. The topic you choose should be broad enough that you will be able to find plenty of information, but not so broad that you will lose focus. For example, while "Michael Jordan's baseball career" will probably be too narrow as a topic, "Michael Jordan's career in sports" would be just right. On the other hand, trying to research "plants" as a topic would probably be too broad, but choosing a specific type of plant would be okay.

2. Once you have a topic, write at least ten questions you want to answer about your topic in the course of your research. Choose questions that are somewhat complex; do not write questions that you will be able to answer with a yes or a no, or with one word.

3. Find a variety of resources, and take notes. Use a variety of Internet sources, books, and encyclopedias to help you get enough information for your project. As you take notes, do not copy, word-for-word, what the resources say. Instead, paraphrase the text and/or boil it down to short words and phrases in your notes.

Organize Your Research

1. Outline your research paper or project into sections. If you have researched a person or event, the information should be organized chronologically. For other topics, group similar information together. For example, research on basketball might be divided into sections such as "Where It Came From," "The Rules," "How It Is Commonly Played Today," etc.

2. Depending on the assignment, present your research in the desired format. You can present your findings in the form of a paper, in paragraphs on a poster, or in a PowerPoint presentation.

3. Create a works cited page, cataloging each source that you used. An MLA or APA style guide can show you how to cite the books, articles, encyclopedias, and/or web pages you used.

Presenting Your Research

1. If your teacher will allow it, add graphics to your report, poster, or PowerPoint. Adding pictures makes your research more presentable and adds to your information.

2. Revise your report, poster, or PowerPoint presentation. Look for errors in grammar and conventions and correct them where necessary.

3. Turn in a final, clean copy of your research project.

References

• Middle School Research Project
• Research Process Rubric
• So You Have to do a Research Project?