Living in Our Ocean of Air

Air Quality Monitoring Research Proposal

Objective:  The objective of science research is to answer a question by gathering and analyzing data. The research includes the use of reference materials for background information, archives for data, trends, and primary source accounts, and investigation to collect data.

What should be in your proposal?

Research Question

              Use a question to state what you are investigating. 

Example:  Does rain water pH correlate with sulfur dioxide concentrations in the air?

Hypothesis

              State what you expect to find based on your background and archive research.

Example:  The pH of rain will vary directly with changes in sulfur dioxide levels in the air.

Materials

              List what you will need to conduct your research project.

              Example: 

              Rain gauge

              pH paper or indicator

              Internet sulfur dioxide data

Procedure

              Describe how you will conduct your data collection.

              Example:

Data Analysis

              Describe the type of data you will collect and how you plan to analyze it.

Example: Rainwater pH will be measured and recorded in an Excel spreadsheet along with sulfur dioxide data from the Internet.  The rainwater pH and sulfur dioxide data will be displayed as a graph for comparison.  If the pH is more acidic when sulfur dioxide levels increase and less acidic when sulfur dioxide levels decrease, then the hypothesis will have been correct.

Guidelines (pdf)

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