A Science Investigatory Project (SIP)

It uses the scientific method to study and test an idea about how something works. It
involves researching a topic, formulating a working theory (or hypothesis) that can be tested,
conducting the experiment, and recording and reporting the results.

Title
The Title should be clear and precise. It has an objective or purpose. It should not be written
too long or too short. By just reading the title, you can determine what the investigative study
is all about.

Abstract
The Abstract should be one or two paragraphs only. It includes your research problems, the
method or procedure that you used and the findings or conclusion of the study.

Chapter I
1. Introduction and Its Background
The Introduction is about one page only wherein it includes the background of the study and its
rationale. It usually leads into the research problem.

2. Statement of the Problem

The Statement of the Problem has two categories namely: the general problem and specific
problems. Usually, one general problem and three specific problems which derived from the
general problem. The research problems should be specific, reliable, valid, measurable,
objectively stated. It can be a question form or in a declarative statement.

3. Formulation of the Hypothesis

The Formulation of the Hypothesis has two types namely: the null hypothesis and affirmative
hypothesis. Hypotheses is a scientific guess which intends subject for thorough investigation. It
is recommended to use null hypothesis in your research project.

4. Significance of the Study

The Significance of the Study indicates how important is your investigatory project for the
people, environment and community as a whole. It is really relevant in the changing world or
global impact into the field of technology.

5. Scope and Delimitation of the Study

The Scope and Delimitation of the Study covers the range of your research. It includes the
period of research, the materials and equipment to be used, the subject of the study or the
sample of the study, the procedure and the statistical treatment to be used.

6. Definition of Terms
The Definition of Terms has two types: the Dictionary-derived definitions and the Operational
definitions which derived from how these terms were used in your research.

Chapter II
Review of Related Literature and Studies
Related Literature
The Related Literature are statements taken from science books, journals, magazines,
newspapers and any documents from authorized scientists, Science experts or well-known
Science agencies. These statements can support your study through their concepts, theories,
principles and laws. Footnoting is important on this part.

Related Studies
The Related Studies are those researches which may be local and foreign studies who can
attribute to your research or can support your investigation scientifically. Footnoting is also
important on this part.

Chapter III
Methodology has several parts namely: the subject of the study, the procedure and the
statistical treatment
1. The Subject of the Study
The Subject of the Study includes your population and the sample. It applies the sampling
techniques to obtain a good sample of the study. Your sample should be valid and reliable.

2. The Procedure
The Procedure is the step by step and systematic process of doing your research. It includes
the materials with right amount of measurements, the appropriate equipment to be used in
doing the scientific investigation. It consists of several trials with control variables, independent
variables and dependent variables. Gathering of data is essential in any kind of research. It is
recommended to use control and experimental set-ups to arrive at valid conclusion.

3. Research Design
The Research Design may be shown through Theoretical Framework or Conceptual Framework
wherein the researcher plans and designs his study with significant theories, concepts and
connections. It shows the input, intervention and output of the study.

4. The Statistical Treatment

The Statistical Treatment comes in various ways. It can be mean, median, mode, percentage,
Chi-square, standard deviation, T-test, Pearson r, Spearman rank or Anova I or Anova II. It is
recommended to use T-test in any experimental research.
Chapter IV
Presentation, Analysis and Interpretation of Data
1. Presentation of Data, Analysis and Interpretation of Data
The data gathered should be presented in order to be analyzed. It may be presented in two
forms namely: through table or graph. You may use both of them if you want to clearly figure
out your data. A table has labels with quantity, description and units of measurement. Graph
has several types namely the line graph, bar graph, pie graph and pictograph. Choose what type
of graph that you prefer to use. Analyze the data that had been gathered, presented in table or
graph scientifically. You interpret the data according to what had been quantified and
measured. The numerical data should be interpreted clearly in simple and descriptive
statements.

2. Results
Results show the findings or outcomes of your investigation. The result must be based
according to the interpreted data.

Chapter V
Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation
1. Summary
The Summary briefly summarizes your research from Chapter I to Chapter IV which includes the
research problems, methodology and findings. It consists of one or two paragraphs only.

2. Conclusion
The Conclusion is the direct statement based on findings or results. It should answer your
hypothesis and research problems.

3. Recommendation
The Recommendation is given based on your conclusion. You may give few recommendations
which you think can help the fellow Science students, researchers, consumers or the entire
community where people live in.
Steps in Making an Investigatory Project

1. Select a Topic.

The first step in making an investigatory project is selecting a topic to research on. If you are
making an investigatory project in Chemistry, you may select the topic about a new substance
in making soaps.

After selecting the topic, narrow down your research into something that you are interested in.
For example, you might be interested in using different plants in making soaps. Papaya has
been proven to make skin look younger. Find something that interests you.

2. Make a Research Question and Title

Now that you have your topic, you should now create your Research Question. Your research
question is something that you want to test. Something that intrigues you and you want to find
out the correct answer.

A sample research question might be, “Can I make an antibacterial soap using guava leaves?“.

If this is your question, then the title for your Investigatory Project is Using Guava Leaves in
Making an Antibacterial Soap.

Explore other questions that also interest you. Remember that you must make a scientific
inquiry. That means the question or topic can be answered objectively and not through
opinions only.

3. Design the Experiments and Procedures

Now that you want to find out if guava leaves can be made into an antibacterial soap, you have
to design experiments so that you can answer your research question.

One experiment might be making soap and adding guava leaves extract to it. You will then test
the soap and a standard commercial soap if it can kill bacteria found in a piece of cloth.

In designing the experiments, you have to make a list of the steps to be carried out. You have to
make the procedures by your self or with your group mates.

4. Write the Abstract of the Project

An abstract is a short explanation of what your investigatory project is all about. Here are some
examples of abstracts from Filipino students:
This study primary focuses in proving Papaya extract as substitute for meat tenderizer.
The researcher uses green papaya fruit (unripe) and meat. These primary materials are readily
available in the market.

Each meat is soaked for 10 minutes in water and papaya extract solution with a concentration
of 1:6, 1:1:2, 1:1:8, 1:2:4, and 1:3 respectively. The meat boiled for another 10 minutes. The
respondents rated the meat to their score sheets (Hedonic Scale), they were satisfied of the right
concentration of papaya extracts and rated it as “super good”.

With the right and precise concentration of the papaya extract, the meat has been tenderized.
This proves the Papaya extract can be a substitute to meat tenderizer.

Source: Gian Paul Giron

5. Conduct the Experiments

Using the procedures you have made in step 3, conduct your experiments and record all data in
your observation. Include also those things that happened and you think are interesting.

6. Write a Research Paper

A research paper is the formal document of your investigatory project. It will be used when you
present your investigatory project to your teacher or a set of panelist. You can even present it
to an international group of scientists.

The Research Paper may contain the following:

1. Title of the Project

2. Statement of the Problem
3. General and Specific Objectives
4. Procedures or Methodology
5. List of Materials and Equipment
6. Results of the Experiments in the form of graphs and tables
7. Analysis of the Data
8. Conclusion
9. Recommendations

A guide in making a research paper will be published in this website soon. I will update this
article as soon as it is published.

7. Create a Visual Aid

Make a collection of pictures of the experiment, charts and graphs relevant to the Investigatory
Project.
Those are the steps in making a scientific investigatory project.