ISEF forms

ALL: good day everyone

AMANDA: we, group 4, are back to continue what we started last week: Writing Data in a Logbook and Using ISEF
Forms. Wherein we discussed all about data logbook, how to conduct a data logbook, logbook set-up, logbook
section and importance of data logbook.

ZAIJIAN: without futher to do, let us present the ISEF FORMS. In this presentation: you will learn about:

- What is ISEF FORM

- DIFFERENT TYPES OF ISEF FORMS (which is composed of 13)
- REASONS WHY STUDENTS NEED TO USE THE ISEF FORMS

KHIA:

What is It?

ISEF Forms
Based on Society for Science and the Public, the ISEF forms constitute a written documentation of what will
occur, or in some cases, has already occurred, in a research project. The forms are designed to provide the
information that is needed to review the project to ensure compliance with the ISEF rules and with laws and
regulations that apply to the project.

ELAINE:

It should be filled out and signed before any research takes place, wherein only Forms 1C, 5B, 7, and the Abstract are
done after the research. When the approval or consent is given to the student researcher(s), the dates of signatures
reflect with the use of this format, MM/DD/YY.

ZANE:

A. Different Types of ISEF Forms

1. Checklist for Adult Sponsor (Form 1)

The checklist is provided so that the adult sponsor can review what information (and therefore which forms)
must be provided. The date signed is the date that the sponsor first reviews the project plan before the experiment
begins.

MISHA:

2. Student Checklist (Form 1A)

On this page, the student outlines of what the project is about. Items that especially need to be clear are the
following:

Any project conducted in a similar area of research as previous projects should be considered a continuation. If the
project is a continuation, explain on Form 7 as completely as possible how the project will differ from previous
experimentation because only a new and different research project is allowed. The current year project must
demonstrate significant progress.

AMANDA:

Explain when the actual experimental procedure (not the background literature review) will begin and end because
only a 12-month project that occurred within the last 18 months before this ISEF is allowed.

Explain where the experimental research will be done (research institution, school, field, home). Universities,
research facilities, and industrial settings will require additional documentation on Form 1C to explain what was
done at each facility. (Note: Pathogens may not be cultured at home).

Attach a Research Plan and Project Summary, as outlined in the Research Plan and Summary Instructions, which
describes the project in detail and answers all applicable questions.

ZAIJIAN:

3. Approval Form (Form 1B)

These statements attest that each of these people (or committees) approves or consents to this project. The dates
should be signed as described below and are before experimentation unless otherwise indicated:

a) Student

- Date, they attest that they understand the possible risks, that they have read and will follow the rules, and
that they will abide by the ethics statement.

b) Parent/Guardian

- Date, they consent to their child doing this project.

c) SRC, Approval Before

- Date, that the committee reviews this project before the experimentation. Projects that must be preapproved are
research these areas: human participants, vertebrate animals, and PHBA's (potentially hazardous pathogenic agents)
including microorganisms, recombinant DNA, and human or animal tissue.

KHIA:

d) SRC Approval After

- This applies only to projects that needed preapproval by the SRC but were done at a research institution and were
preapproved by that institution instead of the affiliated fair SRC. The date signed indicates when the SRC approved
this project after it was completed. All documentation from the research institution showing approval of the project
must be attached.
e) Final SRC Approval

- All projects must be reviewed by the SRC after the experimentation is complete and shortly before competition in
the affiliated fair. The date signed shows the date that SRC gives final approval to this project.

ELAINE:

4. Regulated Research Institution (Form 1C)

This form is completed by the supervising adult, explains what the student researcher did and is signed after
the project is completed. This form is only needed if the research was done at a research institution (university lab,
for example) or in an industrial setting, but is not completed for work done at a high school.

ZANE:

5. Qualified Scientist (Form 2)

On this page, the scientist explains what will be done to oversee this project. The qualified scientist (QS) and,
if needed, the designated supervisor (DS), will sign with the date that they approve this project (before
experimentation takes place).

MISHA:

6. Risk Assessment Form (Form 3)

Required for projects using hazardous chemicals, activities or devices, and some PHBA's including protists,
composting, coliform test kits, decomposition of vertebrate organisms and microbial fuel cells and must be
completed and signed by the DS or QS prior to student experimentation.

AMANDA:

7. Human Participant Form (Form 4)

This page, along with the research plan, is submitted by the student researcher to explain to the IRB how the
safety and well-being of the test subjects and the confidentiality of results will be ensured. The IRB reviews the
project, checks the risk level, and determines if written documentation of assent/ consent/permission is required. All
questions must be answered, and boxes checked. Each IRB member signs with the date they approve this project.
This review and the date signed must be before any experimentation takes place.

ZAIJIAN:

When required by the IRB, a written informed assent/ consent / parental permission form is used to explain
to the research participant and their parent/guardian the risks and benefits associated with participation (see
Human Informed Consent Form). Questionnaires, sample tests, and the like must be given to the IRB and to the
parent/guardian. If the participant wishes to participate and when required, the parent/guardian also agrees, they
each sign the Informed Consent Form with the date that they approve. (Before experimentation begins)
KHIA:

8. Vertebrate Animal Form (Form 5A)

This form is filled out by the student researcher when the experiment is conducted in a Non-Regulated
Research Site such as home or school and describes the housing and care for the animals.

The SRC reviews this document and determines the level of supervision required for the study and signs and dates
before experimentation begins. The bottom of the form is filled out by the veterinarian and/or designated supervisor
and is signed and dated when they approve this project with these housing conditions. (Before experimentation
begins).

ELAINE:

If there was any illness, unexpected weight loss or death of an animal during the experimentation, the cause must be
investigated and a letter from the Qualified Scientist, Designated Supervisor, or a veterinarian which documents the
situation and the results of the investigation must be attached.

9. Vertebrate Animal Form (Form 5B)

This form is filled out by the Qualified Scientist when the research is conducted at a Regulated Research
Institution and describes the study. A copy of the IACUC approval (not a letter from the Qualified Scientist or
Principal Investigator) must be attached.

If there was any weight loss or death of an animal during the experimentation, the cause must be investigated and a
letter from the Qualified Scientist, Designated Supervisor, or a veterinarian which documents the situation and the
results of the investigation must be attached.

ZANE:

10. Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents (Form 6A)

This form is filled out by the student researcher and is required for all research involving microorganisms,
DNA and fresh/frozen tissue including primary cell lines, human and other primate established cell lines and tissue
cultures), blood, blood products, and body fluids. SRC/IACUC/IBC/RAC approval required before experimentation.
The qualified scientist will sign and date. The SRC will choose one or more statements that describe the approval
process for the study and will add the date that approval occurred.

MISHA:

11. Human & Vertebrate Animal Tissue (Form 6B)

This form is filled out by the student researcher and explains the source of the tissue. The Qualified Scientist
or Designated Supervisor signs and dates to document the source and handling of this tissue (before
experimentation).
AMANDA:

12. Research Continuation/Progression Projects Form (Form 7)

If the current project is in a similar area of research as any previous project of the student or any team
member, it is considered a continuation. Explain as completely as possible how the project is different from previous
experimentation because only a new and different research project is allowed.

The date signed is the date the student researcher is certifying that this information is correct.

ZAIJIAN:

13. Abstract Form

The abstract is a summary of the study and is written after experimentation. ISEF finalists must use the
online system. Regional and local fairs may use this PDF version of the ISEF abstract.

The ISEF rules and guidelines can be found at their official website, "Society for Science & the Public," and ISEF forms
can be downloaded through the link, https://www.societyforscience.org/isef/forms/

KHIA:

B. Reasons Why Students Need to Use the ISEF Forms:

1. ISEF Forms help students plan their project.

2. The parents know what the student is doing and has proper supervision.

ELAINE:

3. Only the completed forms with the research plan are required of all projects with an abstract for Science fairs.

4. Students with topics of special concerns and risks will need additional ISEFForms (use ISEF Form Wizard if needed).

ZANE:

5. Students have used the internationally recognized standard for rules and regulations for research.

6. If the students are nominated to continue to higher levels of competition, they must show that the work:

* has been done safely for the student and others around him /her

MISHA:

* was planned and researched before starting the investigation

* was supervised by someone qualified for their project

* did not cause physical, psychological, or personal harm or injury to people

* did not cause pain or suffering to animals

AMANDA: and here we’ve reached the end of our presentation. We hope that you learned something. As usual, we
prepared a quote for every ending of our presentation. It is a quote by Zora Neale Hurston who states that:

ALL: Research is formalized curiosity. It is poking and prying with a purpose.

ALL: Thank you for listening, this s group 4.