RESEARCH PROJECT

Phase 1 Checklist

Phase 1: Students submit the following for Phase 1 of their Research Project

Due Date: August 15th 2025

Format: As a Google Doc on the folder shared by City as Lab

  1. RESEARCH QUESTION: A well-written succinct RQ that meets ALL the criteria for City as Lab- See Lesson Plan called “Creating the RQ”
  2. RATIONALE: A strong rationale that piques the reader’s interest by providing the following:
      • Which SDG and which strand within the SDG is this question related to and how? See the Theme Document to understand the SDGs and related strands. This year’s RQs MUST be related to one of those only.
      • A personal rationale for why you have crafted and selected THIS RQ
      • Secondary research that is summarized to present a convincing argument for why this RQ is relevant to the city i.e., connects to the bigger picture. This must include two valid citations from within the last 5-8 years. 
  3. HYPOTHESIS: A complete hypothesis that meets the following criteria:
      • It is directly related to the RQ and includes a “because…” statement. See rubric. 
      • It is not random but is based on the secondary research conducted above or brief primary research that you have done to identify the problem. 
      • It is a statement that represents what YOU think is the answer to your RQ and why, that can be tested by collecting data. The hypothesis has to be testable
  4. BIBLIOGRAPHY: A bibliography is APA format at the end of the document