Choosing a Research Topic

1. Choosing a Research Topic Image from http://thestartingfive.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/question.jpg

2. I. Overview of the Research Process Definition of Research • a scientific investigation to find answers to a problem (Burns, 2000) • the systematic and objective analysis and recording of controlled observations that may lead to the development of generalizations, principles and theories,resulting in prediction and possibly ultimate control of events (Kumar , 1996) Images from http://gigalock.com/sfiab/docs/20071210_ScientificMethod.png and http://www.thwink.org/sustain/deadlock/E1_ScientificMethod.gif

3. II. Research Examples Examples of Research Projects from the Intel Philippine Science Fair 2008 Pharmaceutical compounds (antibacterial immunobooster) from Barringtoniaasiatica and Garciniamangostana (Tan, 2008) Isolation and characterization of the most cytotoxic fraction of selected Philippine poisonous crabs (Lugto, 2008) MORH: Jedoque process of increasing the compressive strength and lessening the water absorbency of hollow blocks (Oliva, 2008) Prediction of total soluble solids in ripe mangoes based on its electrical resistance (Diamante 2008) A comparative study on mangrove species diversity at different locations in Pangasihon forest (Borbon et al., 2008) Construction of a mechanical prototype of a microtremor recorder based on electromagnetic induction (Ambrosio et al., 2008) Image from http://www.sei.dost.gov.ph/intel-philsciencefair/images/ipsf2005/ipsf23.jpg

4. III. Considerations When Choosing a Topic Choosing a Topic • Topic • Importance • Novelty • Feasibility • Other practical considerations • Researchers • Interests • Goals • Adequate knowledge and skills Image from http://www.kadmanweb.com/Images/crossroads.gif

5. Questions to ask yourself Which tastes better: Coke or Pepsi? Which energy drink provides the most energy? Do cherries have antibacterial properties? Which herbal medicines did your mother use on you when you were a kid? Can graphology be used to detect criminal tendencies? What is the effect of a mutagen on mice? Can marijuana be used to cure headaches? What is the effect of different colors of light on plants? Is Titanium dioxide carcinogenic to humans? What is the effect of rock music on plant growth? What is the effect of caffeine on heart rate? What is the effect of a wildfire on a grassland ecosystem? Is the topic original or does it present an original variation to a commonly done project? Are there at least 3 sources of printed material that can be easily found on the topic? Can you measure the changes in the variables? Is it possible to control factors that might influence the results? Is the experiment safe to perform? Are the required materials and equipment easily accessible at a reasonable cost? Do you have enough time to perform the experiment? Does the project meet all the rules and requirements of the school/science fair?

6. IV. Possible Fields of Study ISEF Categories Animal Sciences (AS) Behavioral and Social Sciences (BE) Biochemistry (BI) Cellular and Molecular Biology (CB) Chemistry (CH) Computer Science (CS) Earth and Planetary Science (EA) Engineering: Electrical and Mechanical (EE) Engineering: Materials and Bioengineering (EN) Energy and Transportation (ET) Environmental Management (EM) Environmental Sciences (EV) Mathematical Sciences (MA) Medicine and Health Sciences (ME) Microbiology (MI) Physics and Astronomy (PH) Plant Sciences (PS) From http://www.societyforscience.org/ISEF/students/research_categories.asp Images from http://www.le.ac.uk/bl/background2.jpg, http://news.bbc.co.uk/, www.berea.edu,, www.ldsd.group.shef.ac.uk, www.engr.wisc.edu, www.strategypage.com

7. Animal Sciences Behavioral and Social Sciences • Catch Me If You Can: A Robotic Simulation of Predator-Prey Co-Evolution • The Effects of Serotonin on Circadian Patterns and Behaviors in Drosophila • The Effect of Habitat Loss on Survival Potential and Decreasing Salinity on Tenacity of the Foot in the Marine Snail, Neritaatramentosa: Possible Implications for Global Warming? • The Effect of the Antibiotics in Marine Sponges on Non-Pathogenic Bacteria • The Ability to Learn: Learning and Communication between Comet Goldfish • The Automatic Speech Translator for Disability (Deaf and Blind)

8. Biochemistry Cellular and Molecular Biology • Isolation of the Role of Earthworms in the Chemical Alteration Trajectory of Lignin in Old and Young Forest Systems • Synthetic Analogs of IGF-1 Receptor Juxtamembrane Domain: Potent Inhibitors of Cancer Cell Growth • Enzymatic Hydrogen Production Using Pyrococcusfuriosus: A Viable Solution for Renewable, Clean Energy, Phase II • The Novel Role of the GluCl-α Ion Channel and Diazepam-binding Genes in Alcohol Addiction • Overexpression of Aquaporin-1 in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer • Mathematical Modeling of a Eukaryotic Circadian Clock

9. Chemistry Computer Science • Efficient Hydrogen Production Using Cu-Zn-Al Catalysts Prepared by Homogeneous Precipitation Method • New Routes to Nylon Synthesis • Fingerprinting with Genipin: A Green Reagent for Protein Detection in Solution and on Surfaces • Layered-Double Nickel Hydroxides as a Future of Alkaline Secondary Cells • Real-Time Water Wave Simulation with Surface Advection • MindMouse: A Mind Computer Interface Without Pattern Recognition Based on Biofeedback Training • Do You 'ear Wha' I 'ear? Redigitizing Voice Signals into Lower Frequencies to Revolutionize Hearing Assistance Technology • Simulation of Traffic Problems

10. Earth and Planetary Science Electrical and Mechanical Engineering • Boxing Day Tsunami: The Last of the Knockouts? Testing the Effects of Coastal Configuration and Seawall Designs on Tsunami Strength • Analyzing Arctic Solar Flux and Ice Extent Loss Projections • Research on Autonomous Flight Controller and Low-altitude Robotic Aircraft • Optimizing Wind Power: Design of a Hybrid Wind Turbine Using Active Solidity • Control for Low Wind Speed Power Capture • Intelligent Task Coordination with Multiple Robots • Universal Screwdriver Head • Designing an Autonomous Tracking System for Efficient Solar Energy Collection • A Low Cost Water Based Evaporative Cooling Device for Computers

11. Materials Science and Bioengineering Energy and Transportation • Development and Optimization of a Polyvinyl Alcohol Hydrogel for Controlled Release of Phosphate • Developing a Novel pH Buffer Methodology to Inhibit Concrete Corrosion • Repairing America's Aging Concrete Highway Bridges with Cement Bio-Composites • The Kudzu Question: A Useful, Renewable Resource? • A Novel Process to Highly Improve the Bioethanol Production • From Biomass to Ethanol: Using Transformed Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae for Cellulosic Degradation and Ethanol Fermentation

12. Environmental Sciences Environmental Management • Development of Biosensors for Detecting Hazardous Chemicals • The Viability of Green Cleaning: A Quantitative Assessment of the • Phytoremediation of Copper Effluent Using Lemna minor • Assessment of Land Uses Effects on the Water Quality of Rural Areas in Southeast Brazil • Use of Seashells to Detoxify Lead-contaminated Effluent and Groundwater • Fusarium pallidoroseum, II: Can It Control Water Hyacinth? • Modification of Sunflower Stalk Extracts with Boric Acid and Their Usage as High Performance Insulation Material

13. Mathematical Sciences Medicine and Health Sciences • Quantitative Evaluation of Cancer Complexity: A Study of Fractal Morphometry • Computing Perfect Numbers: The Search for Even and Odd Perfect Numbers • Genomic Strategy to Refine Prognosis and Treatment of Early Stage Colon Cancer • The Effect of Extracellular Signaling Molecules on Oligodendrocyte Differentiation, Morphology, Proliferation, and Survival • Identification of the Molecular Targets Affecting the Action of Amphetamine in the Dopaminergic Pathway • What Is that You're Putting in Your Baby's Mouth? The Effects of Bisphenol A from Polycarbonate Plastics on Lumbriculus variegatus

14. Microbiology Physics and Astronomy • Isolating Honey Chemical Constituents Responsible for Anti-Microbial Properties • Effects of Water Quality on the Propagation and Growth of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis • Low-Cost Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Microscopy • Correlation between Thermal Behavior and Molecular Network in Rubber • Construction of a Mechanical Prototype of a Microtremor Recorder Based on Electromagnetic Induction

15. Plant Sciences • Towards Nitrogen-Fixing Symbioses without Mutual Consent: The Impact of Carbon Limitation on Endophytic Infection of Maize • Developing a System for the Effective Biosynthesis of Pharmaceuticals: A Novel, Plant-Based Approach via the Trichomes • Molecular and Cellular Responses under Hypoxic Stress in Rice Cultivars with Different Flooding Tolerance • Eco-Friendly Ink for Color Pens

16. IV. Next Step What’s the next step? Narrow down your field of study to a specific question. Collect background information on your question: at least 3 printed sources. Write a research brief on the topic chosen.

17. References Burns, R. (2000). Introduction to research methods. London. Sage Publications. Cruz, J. M. (1999). Scientific writing. Philippine Science High School. Cruz, J. M. and A. Chupungco. (2001). Science and technology research manual. Philippine Science High School. Kenneth Lafferty Hess Family Charitable Foundation. (2007). Teacher’s guide to science projects. <http://www.sciencebuddies.org/> UP NISMED and DOST-SEI. (2005). Course notes in Training of trainors in science and mathematics investigations. October 24 – 29, 2005, UP NISMED, Diliman, Quezon City.