Eighth Grade Research Project:
Research questions (main topic & sub topics) brainstormed by the eighth grade classes on April 26, 2012. Use this handout to guide you in doing your research, taking notes, and writing your outline. NOTE: Under each Main Topic are questions that come to mind, in parentheses are the headings you should use for your Subtopics, and then under that with regular numbers and letters record your answers/research findings as Details and Supporting Details. (See p. 2 of handout for formatting example.)
Category: Career
Research Topic: ?????
I. Education
A. What kind of education is needed? (Requirements)
B. When do you go to school? (Schooling schedule)
C. How long is the schooling? (Length of schooling)
D. How do you get started? (entrance requirements)
E. How many years experience or qualifications do you need?
(Experience/Qualifications)
F. How do you get promoted? (Promotions/ Advancement)
II. Job Responsibilities
A. Who does this job? What kind of person? (Personal characteristics)
B. What do you do? (Job Description, tasks)
C. Who is affected by this job? (Job purpose)
D. Why would any one want this job? (Job interest)
III. Work environment
A. Where is this job? (Location)
B. Where do you go? Do I need to travel? (Expectations)
C. How long do you work? (Work schedule)
D. Who will work with me? (Co-workers, clients)
E. Who will be my superior? (Management)
F. What kind of tools do I use/need? (Tools/Equipment)
IV. Salary
A. What is the pay? (Income)
B. When do you get vacation? (Vacation)
C. What are the benefits/insurance? (Benefits/insurance)
D. Where will the job take me in life? (Job path)
E. What are ways/areas to be promoted? (Promotion)
V. Pros/Cons
A. Why pick/not pick this career? (Pros/Cons)
B. Could you get injured by this job? Is it stressful? (Risks)
VI. Other
A. Who are some role models in this field? (Role Models)
B. Is there a need for this job? (Job Market/Future)
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Category: Hobby
Topic: ?????
I. Explanation of activity
A. What is it all about? Don’t assume anything! (Description)
B. What do you have to do? How do you do it? (Instructions)
C. When can you do it? (Season)
D. Where can you do it? (Location)
E. What are the rules? (Rules)
F. How did this activity originate? (History)
G. How can this be helpful/healthful? (Benefits)
II. Skills
A. What are the techniques and tips for it? (Techniques/Tips)
B. How much training/practice do you need? (Training/Practice)
C. How would you show someone how to do this? (Directions)
III. Participants
A. Who is it open to? Who’s eligible to participate? (Who participates)
B. Why is it interesting to you? Why would you do this activity? (Why it’s attractive)
C. How physical is it? (Physical requirements)
IV. Equipment
A. What equipment/materials are needed? Do you need a lot of equipment? (Necessities)
B. How much does it cost? (Expenses)
V. How to get started
A. How do you get started? (How to start)
B. What do you need to know? (Necessary knowledge)
C. Who can you contact? (Who to contact)
D. Is it recreational or competitive? (Recreation vs. Competitive)
VI. Professional memberships
A. What are some local groups or national organizations that I could join? (Organizations)
B. Are there any publications that I could subscribe to? (Publications)
VII. Other
A. Where did it originate? (Origination)
B. Are there any dangers to be aware of? (Dangers)
C. Is it possible to do it for a profit or eventually a career? (Future)
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Category: Travel
Research Topic: ?????
I. Location
A. Where are you going? (Destination)
B. In what country, city, or state is your destination located? (Location)
C. What bodies of water or other states/countries border it? (Nearby Locations)
D. How many people travel there each year? (Tourists)
E. How many hours ahead/behind are they from us? (Time zone)
II. Climate
A. What time of year will you travel? (Travel seasons)
B. What should we pack? (Necessities)
C. Are there any natural disasters to be aware of? (Natural disasters)
D. Is there any special/unique wildlife to be aware of? (Wildlife)
E. What’s the weather like? (Temperature, Precipitation)
III. Transportation
A. What way will you get there? (Trip route)
1. Best
2. Quickest
3. Most scenic
B. How will you travel? (Mode of transportation)
1. Car
2. Plane
3. Train
4. Boat
C. When are you leaving? (Departure--optional)
D. How do you get there? (Directions from WI)
IV. Special attractions
A. Who will you see there? (What to see)
B. Why are you going? (Why go)
C. What are you going to do there? (Activities)
D. Where can you eat? What will you eat there? (Restaurants/Foods)
E. Are there any interesting natural land formations? (Natural land formations)
F. Are there any interesting historical markings? (Historical markers)
G. Are there any interesting tourist attractions? (Tourist attractions)
H. Are there any national parks? (National Parks)
V. Accommodations and their amenities
A. Where are you going to stay? What do they have to offer to their guests?
1. Hotel
2. Motel
3. Campsites
4. Resorts
VI. Expenses
A. How much will your trip cost? (Cost)
1. Luxury
2. Moderate
3. Budget
VII. Culture
A. What are some of the customs? (Customs)
B. What kind of currency do they use? What is the US
C. What language do they speak? (Language)
D. What gestures are appropriate/inappropriate? (Gestures)
E. What are your exports? (Exports)
F. What is the capital/largest city? (Major cities)
G. What are popular foods/beverages? (Foods/beverages)
VIII. Travel tips
A. What kind of dangers should travelers be aware of? (Dangers)
A. What kind of dangers should travelers be aware of? (Dangers)
B. What types of precautions will ensure a pleasurable vacation? (Precautions)
IX. Other
A. What is your political party/leader? (Politics)
B. When did your country receive its independence? (Basic history)
C. Are there any interesting historical facts? (Historical facts)
D. What are some other interesting facts? (Trivial information)
E. What do people buy/bring back from there? (Souvenirs)
Sample Formatting/ Outline Organization:
I. Main Topic (Standard)
A. Sub topic (Based on your questions)
1. Detail (Based on the research)
a. Supporting detail (Based on your “deeper” research)
B. 1.
2.
a.
b.
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