Student research planning worksheet

Choose Your Own Research Project

Choose a direction, build a research question, and plan a project that shows what you find out.

Name

Date

What is research project planning?

A research project is when you choose a topic, find information about it, and make something that shows what you learned.

Use this sheet to move from “I have an idea” to “I know what to do next.” You do not need to know everything yet.

Project snapshot

Fill this in as your idea becomes clearer. It is okay to come back and change it.

Topic

Main question

Final project

Next step

Key Vocabulary

Keep this open while you work.

Word	Simple meaning	Examples
Research	Finding information about something.	Searching, reading, watching, asking
Topic	The thing your project is about.	Black holes, sharks, AI, ancient Egypt
Research question	The main question your project tries to answer.	Why do volcanoes erupt?
Source	A place you get information from.	Website, video, book, teacher, AI
Reliable	Information that is likely to be true.	Museum website, science website, government site
Notes	Short pieces of information you collect.	Facts, dates, examples, key words
Project	The final thing you make to show your research.	Poster, slideshow, model, booklet
Plan	The steps you will follow.	First I will..., then I will..., I need help with...

Step 1: Choose a Research Direction

Choose a general direction first. You do not need your exact topic yet.

1A) Look at some research ideas

Read → Choose → Write

Do this

Read through the topic suggestions.
Find one area that sounds interesting, weird, useful, or not boring.
Use one idea, change one, or make your own.
Write one possible topic idea in the box.

Space & the Universe

Black holes, Mars, aliens, the Big Bang, galaxies, space travel, stars

Mysteries & Big Questions

Unsolved mysteries, strange places, conspiracy theories, dreams, time travel

Cultures & Origin Stories

Creation stories, Dreaming stories, Greek myths, Egyptian gods, Norse myths

Science & Nature

Sharks, volcanoes, storms, animals, the ocean, earthquakes, the human body

Gaming, Tech & AI

Video games, robots, AI, YouTube, social media, future technology

Sport, Music & Pop Culture

Athletes, musicians, movies, fashion, celebrities, viral trends

History & Ancient Worlds

Ancient Egypt, Vikings, castles, weapons, wars, kings and queens

My Own Idea

Anything school-appropriate that you actually want to investigate

1B) Choose your best starting idea

Think → Plan → Write

Do this

Look back at your ideas from 1A.
Pick the one that feels most interesting or easiest to start.
It does not need to be perfect yet.
Write your starting topic below.

Question	Your answer
My research topic might be about...
I chose this because...
I think this topic could be interesting because...

Step 2: Check Your Starting Point

Work out where you are starting from so your research does not feel too big.

2A) How familiar does this topic feel?

Read → Choose → Write

Do this

Read the four options.
Choose the one that best matches where you are starting.
Write the letter and sentence in the answer box.
There is no wrong answer. This just helps you plan.

I am brand new to this topic. I need easy starter information.

I have heard of this topic, but I do not know many details yet.

I know some things already, but I need better facts and examples.

I know quite a bit already, so I need a more specific focus.

My starting point

2B) What kind of information will I need first?

Read → Think → Write

Do this

Look at your starting point from 2A.
Choose what kind of information would help you first.
Write short answers.
Ask for help if you are not sure yet.

Prompt	Your answer
First, I probably need to find out...
A simple place to start could be...
One word or phrase I could search is...
A video, image, or example that might help me is...

Step 3: Make a Research Question

Make one main question that your project will try to answer.

3A) What makes a good research question?

Read → Think → Answer

Do this

Read the examples.
Notice that research questions are usually not one-word questions.
Choose one question starter that could fit your topic.
Write your own version in the table.

Reminder: If you do not know much about your topic yet, that is fine. Your first research question can be simple. You can change it later.

Question starter	Example	My version
What is...?	What is a black hole?
How does... work?	How does AI make images?
Why does... happen?	Why do volcanoes erupt?
What caused...?	What caused the Titanic to sink?
How has... changed over time?	How have video games changed over time?
Is it true that...?	Is it true that sharks can smell blood from far away?

3B) Choose your main research question

Read → Choose → Write

Do this

Look at the question starters above.
Pick one that feels easiest to use.
Write one clear research question.
Do not worry about making it perfect.

3C) If I am stuck, I can use one of these

Read → Choose → Write

Do this

Use this section only if you are stuck.
Choose one sentence starter.
Fill in the blank with your topic.
Write your starter question in the box.

I want to find out what ______ is.

I want to find out how ______ works.

I want to find out why ______ happens.

I want to find out what makes ______ interesting.

Step 4: Break It Into Smaller Questions

Make the big question easier by breaking it into smaller questions.

4A) Smaller questions

Read → Think → Write

Do this

Look at your main research question.
Write smaller questions that would help you answer it.
Use the question starters if you need them.
Short questions are okay.

Smaller question starter	My smaller question
What is...?
Where did it come from?
How does it work?
Why does it matter?
What is one real example?
What is one interesting fact?

4B) Keep or change the question

Read → Think → Write

Do this

Look at your smaller questions.
Decide if your main research question still works.
You can keep it simple or make a small change.
Write your updated question if you want to change it.

Prompt	Your answer
My main question still works because...
One small change I might make is...

Step 5: Choose How You Will Research

Choose practical ways to collect information. Use at least three.

5A) Research methods

Read → Choose → Write

Do this

Read the different ways you could research.
Choose at least three that could work for your topic.
Write how you might use each one.
You can use AI, but you need to check if the information makes sense.

Research method	How I could use it for my topic
Search online
Ask AI, then check the answer
Watch a video or documentary
Use a book, article, or website
Ask a teacher or someone who knows
Look at images, maps, diagrams, or examples
Test, build, compare, or experiment

5B) Check your sources

Read → Check → Write

Do this

Choose one source you think you might use first.
Write what it is called or where you found it.
Check if it seems useful for your topic.
Write one short note about it.

Useful source check

Who made it?
Does it match your topic?
Does it sound realistic?
Can you check it with another source?

Source check	Your answer
One source I might use first is...
This source looks useful because...
One thing I should double-check is...

Step 6: Choose What Your Final Project Could Be

Choose a realistic way to show what you learn.

6A) Final project options

Read → Choose → Write

Do this

Read the project options.
Choose one that fits your topic and your strengths.
You can combine two ideas if it makes sense.
Write your final project idea in the box.

Final project option	How it could work
Information poster	Show key facts, images, labels, and interesting details.
Mini booklet	Make a small booklet with sections and pictures.
Short presentation	Teach the class about your topic.
Artwork with labels	Create art and explain the meaning or information.
Model or build	Build something connected to your topic.
Video or slideshow	Make a digital project with images and short text.
Teach the class	Run a short explanation or demonstration.
My own idea	Create something different that still shows your research.

My final project idea

6B) Explain your choice

Read → Think → Write

Do this

Look at the final project idea you chose.
Write why this project type makes sense for your topic.
Use the sentence starters if you need them.
Keep your answer short and clear.

Sentence starter	Your answer
This project type could work because...
The main thing I will need to show is...
I might need help with...

Step 7: Make a Simple Project Plan

Turn your idea into clear next steps, then check it with your teacher.

7A) My project plan

Think → Plan → Write

Do this

Think about what you need to do first.
Keep each step short and clear.
Write what help or materials you might need.
This plan can change later.

Part of the plan	My answer
First, I need to...
Then, I need to...
After that, I need to...
I will need these materials or tools...
I might need help with...
The hardest part might be...
I will know I am finished when...

7B) Quick teacher check

Read → Check → Write

Do this

Show your topic, research question, and project idea to your teacher.
Talk through your plan.
Write any changes or advice in the table.
After this, you can start researching properly.

Teacher check	Notes
Is the topic clear enough?
Is the research question okay to start with?
Is the final project idea realistic?
What should I do next?

Editing Checklist

Use this before you move into full research.

Check	Tick
I chose a research topic.
I know where I am starting from.
I wrote one main research question.
I wrote smaller questions to help me research.
I chose at least three ways to find information.
I chose a final project idea.
I made a simple plan.
I checked my idea with the teacher.

Extension

Optional: do these if you have finished the main planning and need an extra challenge.

Extension task	Your answer
Find one image that connects to your topic. What does it show?
Find one interesting fact about your topic.
Find one source you might use. What is it called?
What is one thing you still do not understand yet?