Name:

Due Date: B Day= 2/25Date: Period/Block:

A Day= 2/26

Independent Research Project: Abstract

The main purpose for writing a science project abstract is to give both you and the reader a very brief summary and overview of your project.

Begin by writing in Microsoft Word:

  • At the top of the paper, follow the format below:

The Title of the Project (Do NOT use all caps.)---- title

John Smith---- name

Park View High School, Sterling, VA---- school name, city, state

  • A couple of main points to keep in mind as you write the abstract:
  1. Abstracts should be single-spaced using 12-point Times New Roman font.
  2. The abstract can be a maximum of 250 words.
  3. Single spaced
  4. Summarize everything; do not burden the reader with too much content.
  5. Proof read for content and spelling, (particularly your name).
  6. Do not put separate headings within the text.
  7. Do not use the first person (I, My)
  • The following is a suggested outline for writing the abstract:

(Do not put these bold headlines within the abstract. These are for guidance only!)

Theme and Purpose:

In just a few sentences, present the main area to which this study relates and give the Purpose of the study or experiment. (Spend some time thinking about how to say this. The trick here is to say something (in a few words) that can capture the imagination and interest of the reader without saying too much.)

Methodology:

Briefly describe the project. Include the IV, DV, and control groups. If you used “subjects” (volunteers) give a brief overview of them (# of males, # of females, age range, etc.). Also, give a brief overview of the procedure.

Results:

Highlight the most important findings of the study. Include numbers – mean or mode for each variable and control group. Make sure to include metric units and describe statistical tests performed on your data.

Conclusions:

State the alternative (your or “experimental” hypothesis) and say whether it was supported or not supported based on the statistical tests performed to show significance. Briefly describe what the results mean….Did the independent variable influence the dependent variable? If possible, relate this to the purpose of the study.

Report any major sources or error if there were any. Otherwise, do not state any.

Further research:

Note any further questions which have arisen from your project. Only include questions that can be used for further research/projects/experiments. This is an incredibly important part of this abstract. This tells the reader that you recognize the limits of your study and that you can see other problems and questions that can be turned into studies. For example: State that “Further research could explore…….”

Save your Abstract Word Document and submit it electronically to your teacher for review.

  • Please save your abstract with the following naming scheme:Your First Name Last Name Abstract V1

Ex: JohnSmithAbstractV1

  • Your teacher will use the IRP Abstract Rubric to review your abstract and will ask you to make edits in your Abstract Word document and submit it a second time. Please send this edited version to your teacher electronically with the same naming scheme as before but change it to V2 (for version 2).

IRP: Abstract RubricName:

Date: Period/Block:

Due Date: ______

Independent Research Project

Abstract Rubric

Possible
Points
35 / Self Review Grade / Peer Review
Grade / Teacher Review
Grade
Format:
  • Typed using Microsoft Word, 12 Font, Times New Roman (2 pts.)
  • Single Spaced (1 pt.)
  • Top of the document includes Title of Project, Student Name, School Name, and city, state (4 pts.)
  • 250 words MAXIMUM (1 pt.)
/ 8
Theme and Purpose:
  • Purpose of the study/experiment is clearly stated and catches the reader’s interest (2 pts.)
  • Only 1-2 sentences in length (1 pt.)
/ 3
Methodology:
  • Brief description of the project (including IV, DV, and control groups) (3 pts.)
  • If applicable: brief description of “subjects” or volunteers that were used in the study (1 pt.)
  • Brief overview of the procedures, only 1-2 sentences in length (2 pts.)
/ 6
Results:
  • A highlight of the most important findings is present (2 pts.)
  • Means or Modes (whichever is appropriate for your data) are present with metric units for each variable and control group (2 pts.)
  • A description of the statistical tests or analysis is present (2 pts.)
/ 6
Conclusions:
  • Alternative Hypothesis (your experimental hypothesis) is stated and supported or not supported (2 pts.)
  • Describe what results mean in terms of statistical analysis results (2 pts.)
  • Did the IV influence the DV and how did that compare with the control group? (2 pts.)
  • Discuss any MAJOR sources of error or limitations (only major ones that could have affected the results) (2 pts.)
/ 8
Further Research:
  • Question(s) to be used for further research are stated and appropriate
/ 2
This rubric attached with name, date, period/block / 1
Sent abstract through e-mail to the teacher / 1
On time
Total number of points / 35