<p>Through my science research elective, I am studying the differences between the performance of aluminum and wooden baseball bats and the safety concerns that this has raised. Will schools look at this research as less significant than other projects because it is not focused in a more well-known area such as cancer biology?</p>
<p>Research is based on what you accomplish. Did you do anything significant? Get a paper published in a notable journal? If so, then you’ll be just as well off as someone doing research in “cancer biology.” Otherwise, obviously, colleges won’t pay much attention to a research project that hasn’t done anything.</p>
<p>That is a very good idea that you have. I don’t think schools will look at this research project “less significantly” than other projects first of all because cancer projects are way overdone. There are too many people who decide to do cancer research and another thing to consider is that sometimes these projects are very hastily done and really have no content. Some other students decide to do literature reviews, which is basically repeat/confirmation of previously done experiments that have already been published.</p>
<p>A key component to making your project good is to make it thorough. Although the project idea to an extent can influence the overall quality of the project, it is the methods, extrapolations, and further analyses that truly qualifies for the merit of the project. Perhaps you could include multiple experiments in your project and instead of just stating your purpose, you could include some background information on how this question arose. You could also make your objectives multifold. Blah… I’m guessing you probably don’t need advice on the project design per se, but all that in a nutshell is that schools won’t look at it less significantly than cancer projects.</p>
<p>Are you deciding to submit this for ISEF and other competitions?</p>
<p>With my project I am trying to improve upon the NCAA bat safety testing protocol, as I believe that the current testing procedures give a false sense of security towards the safety of aluminum bats, and that the results do not reflect reality. I will probably have access to the NCAA’s actual lab.
Cheeky2126, currently I am a Sophomore, but if my project progresses at the rate I am working now, I will submit different phases of my research to ISEF in my Junior and Senior years and also perhaps Intel and Siemans.</p>
<p>Ah I see, now that you have clarified I think this is a wonderful project to do in that it’s very original! Don’t worry about outside competition, I’m sure the adcoms and ISEF judges will be impressed assuming that your project will be methodical. :)</p>
<p>Why would it be less significant? I’m no scientist, but I think it’d be better to find something new about bats than to research cancer and not find anything new at all.</p>
<p>I agree with johr. I did research on the effects of new reform-based math standards in the classroom… I used a scientific process on a not-so-scientific topic. It should be fine.</p>
<p>Great project! Are you including in your research a discussion of the Physics of wood and aluminum, how they react to force, and their physical effect on the human arm? That would be an important element, if you wish to be competative for Intel, Siemans.</p>
<p>I’m actually using the physics of the wood and aluminum bats to show how they hit the ball at different speeds, with the aluminum bats being more dangerous in hitting the fielders with the ball. I also thought it would be a good idea to combine my potential findings about how fast the bats hit the balls with the neuroscience of the fielder’s reaction time.</p>
<p>Yup, if it’s Intel or Siemens quality, then they’ll be enthralled.</p>
<p>You may also want to research the harmful arm muscle injuries that batters suffer from the vibrations from aluminum bats when they strike the ball .I know there are studies done on this and I seem to remember a 60 Minute program on theis subject some time back. Just a thought.</p>
<p>DS has been to one of the big science competitions and believe me, they were VERY interested in how one’s project is applicable to the real world. Do a great job with the science, the research paper, and putting it into context, and you have a project that may knock in a home run! (sorry, couldn’t resist!) :)</p>
<p>Man, you guys are ahead of the game. I only started doing helping out with research, let alone planning my own, the summer before senior year. Oi!</p>