The paper should include what the student expects to present at the annual meeting within the time limits. Students in grades 9-12 have 12 minutes while those in grades 6-8 have 10 minutes. Other requirements of the paper include:

• maximum length of 20 pages
• the title page includes ONLY the title and the 75 word abstract
• the name of the student, school, or sponsor should not appear anywhere on the paper
• double spaced on one side of the paper

This paper is based on the analysis or summary of investigations of others. The author generally finds material for the paper through recent, pertinent periodicals, texts, correspondence, etc. No experimental work by the student may be mentioned in this type of paper.

Students in grades 6 through 8 may select any area that interests them. Students in grades 9 through 12 are urged to select areas where "hands-on" research is not possible. Some examples would be:

• Can life as we know exist on moons or planets other than the earth?
• Should humans be cloned? Who should make the decision?
• Are transgenic crops safe?

Title - a clear, concise, appropriate description of the research. Avoid titles that don’t describe the work, or that are too wordy or complex. If the title is not in lay-language also include one as shown here:

"The Effects of Arachis hypogaea Oil on Diplydium canium" (The Effects of Palm Oil on Dog Tape Worm)

Abstract - a concise summary of your study in 75 words or less and in lay-language.

Introduction - describe the specific problem being researched. General information of the research topics should be discussed. This may also include the objectives for this research.

Body - summarizes previous investigations. Be certain to display all sides of an issue. This should be very well organized with the logical and sequential thoughts developed. Literature citations should be made in the following manner:

"According to Fako (1996) and Dumbo et al. (1995) dogs that are kept under palm trees do not have tape worms. It has also been shown that fleas, the carriers of the tape worm larvae, do not carry any worm larvae when grown under laboratory conditions when palm oil is present in the diet (Madeup et al., 1992). Neckout (1997) stated that "Palm oil is the finest".

All references used in this text of the paper should be in the References section of the paper.

Discussion - includes the evaluation of the previous research and the interpretation of the implications. Include contradictions, gaps, relationships, and inconsistencies. Come to some logical conclusion about the problem based on current research and suggest what could be done in this area.

Do NOT include any "Acknowledgments" since these must be removed to maintain anonymity.

References - Include all references used in preparing the research following the APA format (American Psychological Association, 1995). Below are the common examples:

Author last name, Initial. (Year, Month day of publication). Title of article. Title of periodical, volume number, page numbers.

Dumbo, A., G. Jones & J. Smith. (1995, March). Palm trees protect Fido. The Utah Veterinarian, 234, 37-38.

Author last name, Initial. (Year). Title of book. City of Publication: Publisher. Pages

Fako, A. (1996). Parasites in pets. Dallas: Bungle Press. 34-38

Author last name, Initial. (Year). Entry title. In Title of the encyclopedia. (Volume number, pages). City of Publication: Publisher.

Madeup, I., & D. Corny. (1992) Worms in dogs. In The history of Florida kennels. (Volume 3 , pp. 223-226). Nowhere, FL: Pitts University Press.

Author last name, Initial. (Year, Month day of latest update if available otherwise use date retrieved). Article title. Page title. Retrieved date from World Wide Web: address.

Neckout, J. (1997, October 3). Nature’s pesticides. Pest control alternatives. Retrieved 6/23/00 from World Wide Web: www.nomorepests@epa.gov.

Please note only the first word of a title is capitalized unless it is a proper noun except for journals. When author’s names are not available write the title of article in its place. Underlining can replace italics if not available. This information came from: American Psychological Association. (1995). Publication manual, Fourth Edition. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.