Writing a research paper for the Junior Science & Humanities Symposium (JSHS) might seem challenging.

Read this blog to understand the guidelines for JSHS.

Introduction Begin your paper with an introduction that sets the stage for your research.

Provide background information, explain the significance of the study, and state your research question or hypothesis.

Make sure to engage your reader with a clear and concise statement of what you aim to discover or demonstrate.

Research Paper Basics: Affiliated regional symposia typically require adherence to specific guidelines.

Here's what you need to know: APA Style Format: Your paper must adhere to APA Style student format guidelines.

Resources like the APA Guide and Purdue OWL offer invaluable assistance and sample papers.

Length: Aim for a minimum of 5-6 pages and a maximum of 40 pages, double-spaced, including appendices and references.

Double-Spaced: Ensure your paper is double-spaced for readability.

Graphics and Tables: Any visual aids should be presented simply, enhancing the clarity of your paper.

Recommended Outline: Title Page: Grab attention with a clear and concise title that reflects your research question.

Include your name, school, and research title.

Acknowledgement (Optional): If you received major assistance, acknowledge it here.

Statement on Outside Assistance (Required): Be honest about collaborators.

Use the JSHS-provided form to list everyone's contributions.

Research involving Vertebrate Animals or Human Subjects (Read Carefully!): Proper supervision and protocols are mandatory.

Follow the guidelines outlined to avoid disqualification.

Animal research requires no intrusive techniques (surgery, injections, blood draw).

Human research cannot involve drugs, food, beverages, or cultures.

Questionnaires need proper consent.

Table of Contents: Organize your paper with a clear table of contents.

Body: Here's where your research shines!

Introduction: Hook your reader with a captivating introduction and explain your research question.

Materials and Methods: Explain how you conducted your research.

Cite your sources for credibility.

Results and Analysis: Present your findings clearly, using visuals for support.

Analyze your results – do they answer your question?

Discussion (Optional): Discuss the broader implications of your research and raise unanswered questions.

Conclusion: Wrap it up by summarizing your main points, restating your answer to the research question, and leaving a lasting impression.

References: List all the sources you used in proper APA Style format.

Remember: Plagiarism is a big no-no!

Cite your sources and avoid using copyrighted material without permission.

How to write a research paper in high school?

Plagiarism Guidelines: Plagiarism is a serious offense in academic circles, often leading to failing grades or even expulsion.

Understanding what constitutes plagiarism and how to avoid it is crucial for any student.

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of plagiarism and equips you with the tools to write original and ethical research papers.

Defining Plagiarism: Essentially, plagiarism is the act of presenting someone else's work as your own.

This can take various forms, from directly copying text to paraphrasing ideas without proper attribution.

Even unintentional plagiarism, such as forgetting to cite a source, can have consequences.

Here are some common types of plagiarism to be aware of: Direct Copying: Literally copying and pasting someone else's work, without quotation marks or attribution, is the most blatant form of plagiarism.

Paraphrasing: Rewriting someone else's ideas in your own words without citing the original source is still plagiarism.

Mosaic Plagiarism: This involves piecing together sentences and phrases from different sources without proper citations.

Self-Plagiarism: While less common, submitting work you've already presented for another class can also be considered plagiarism.

Why is Plagiarism Wrong?

Plagiarism undermines academic integrity, which is the foundation of scholarly research.

It devalues the work of others and presents a false impression of your own understanding.

When you plagiarize, you not only cheat the system but also miss out on the valuable learning experience that comes with researching and forming your own arguments.

Avoiding Plagiarism: The good news is that plagiarism is entirely avoidable by following these key steps: Develop strong research skills: Learn how to find credible sources for your research.

Utilize academic journals, reputable websites (. edu or. gov), and books by established authors.

Take good notes: As you gather information, paraphrase or summarize key points in your own words.

Include in-text citations (author, year) to indicate where the information came from.

Understand citation styles: Different academic disciplines use different citation styles like APA, MLA, or Chicago.

Mastering a citation style ensures proper attribution of borrowed ideas.

Paraphrase effectively: When paraphrasing, completely rewrite the source material in your own words while retaining the original meaning.

Remember to cite the source even when paraphrasing.

Quoting strategically: Use direct quotes sparingly, only when the author's exact wording is crucial.

Always enclose quotes in quotation marks and provide a citation for the source.

Paraphrase check your work: Before submitting, use online plagiarism checkers as a preliminary tool.

However, these tools shouldn't replace your own careful citation practices.

Developing Your Own Voice: The ultimate goal of academic writing is to develop your own voice and critical thinking skills.

Engaging with existing research through proper citation allows you to build upon existing knowledge and contribute new insights.

Seeking Help: If you ever feel unsure about how to properly cite a source or avoid plagiarism, don't hesitate to seek help!

Reach out to your professors, librarians, or writing center tutors.

They are valuable resources and can guide you on your path to academic success.

Research Ethics: Research, the engine of progress, thrives on curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge.

But with great exploration comes great responsibility.

Research ethics act as the moral compass, ensuring scientific inquiries are conducted with integrity, fairness, and respect for all involved.

Why are Research Ethics Important?

Imagine a medical trial where informed consent isn't obtained, or an ecological study that harms the environment.

Unethical research not only jeopardizes the well-being of participants or subjects, but also casts doubt on the validity of the findings.

Research ethics ensure: Protection of participants: Human and animal subjects deserve respect and protection from harm.

Informed consent, minimizing risks, and ensuring anonymity are crucial ethical considerations.

Scientific integrity: Honest and transparent research practices are essential.

Data should be accurately reported, and conflicts of interest must be disclosed to maintain public trust in scientific endeavors.

Fairness and justice: Research should be conducted in a way that benefits all, not just a select few.

Equitable access to research participation and fair distribution of benefits are important ethical principles. https://youtube. com/playlist?list=PLY_65to5psrulJ49Db6j2nR_hn7M2FLQ2&si=X8ZAnjinOtiwcBHb How to do research in high school playlist.

Core Principles of Research Ethics: Several core principles guide ethical research: Respect for Autonomy: Individuals have the right to make independent decisions about participation in research.

This necessitates informed consent, where participants fully understand the risks and benefits before they agree.

Beneficence: Research should strive to do good and minimize potential harm.

Researchers must weigh the potential benefits against the risks involved.

Non-maleficence: This principle emphasizes the importance of avoiding harm to participants.

Minimizing physical and psychological risks, as well as protecting privacy and confidentiality, is essential.

Justice: Fairness and equity are key aspects of research ethics.

The risks and benefits of research should be distributed fairly, and marginalized populations shouldn't be disproportionately burdened.

Ethical Considerations in Different Research Fields: Research ethics can have specific considerations depending on the field.

Medical Research: Informed consent, data privacy, and ensuring participant well-being are paramount.

Social Science Research: Protecting the anonymity and confidentiality of participants, and avoiding psychological harm, are crucial considerations.

Animal Research: Minimizing animal suffering, using alternative methods when possible, and ensuring proper care are essential ethical obligations.

Why are Research Ethics Important in JSHS?

Even at the junior researcher level, ethical practices are crucial.

They ensure the safety of participants (including yourself!), the accuracy of your findings, and ultimately, the integrity of the entire JSHS competition.

Consider this: Animal Research: Improper handling can cause unnecessary stress.

Ethical guidelines promote humane treatment.

Human Research: Obtaining proper consent and protecting privacy is vital.

Ethics ensure respect for participants.

Data Collection: Honesty and transparency are key.

Ethical practices build trust in your research.

JSHS Guidelines for Ethical Research: The JSHS program provides clear guidelines to ensure ethical research practices.

Here are some key points to remember: Research with Vertebrate Animals or Human Subjects: These studies require supervision by a qualified adult, following approved protocols and complying with local, state, and federal regulations.

Animal research must avoid intrusive techniques like surgery, injections, or blood draw.

Human research cannot involve drugs, food, beverages, human cultures, or blood drawn specifically for the project.

Questionnaires require proper consent.

Statement on Outside Assistance: Be honest about collaborators and their contributions (use the JSHS-provided form).

Data Collection with People: Respect for privacy is essential.

Anonymity should be maintained whenever possible.

Data Collection in the Environment: Minimize your impact on the environment.

Collect data without disrupting natural habitats or harming living organisms.

Beyond the Rules: Building an Ethical Research Mindset Following the rules is crucial, but JSHS also encourages a broader ethical perspective: Honesty and Transparency: Be truthful about your methods and data.

Cite all sources correctly to avoid plagiarism.

Fairness and Objectivity: Conduct your research without bias.

Present your findings accurately, even if they don't support your initial hypothesis.

Respect for All Living Things: Whether you study animals, plants, or human populations, treat them with respect.

Environmental Awareness: Be mindful of the environmental impact of your research.

Final Tips for Aspiring JSHS Participants One word

- technique.

Everyone thinks they have a good technique, but do they really?

Are you really convincing judges?

Are you really WOW-ing them?

Do they walk away thinking you're crazy smart.?

Well, that's what you need to do to win.

Rishab has won the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS) twice!

It's not just about winning; it's also about how well you explain your discoveries.

To improve your chances, you can check out his Science Fair Masterclass, where he talks about how he won JSHS two times.

About Afreen Hossain:I’m a web developer, amateur astronomer, and mathematician with ambitions to become a computer scientist.

Eager to contribute to advancements in technology, healthcare, transportation and space for a more accessible and beneficial world.