Expert: Dana Krempels, Ph.D. - 8/28/2008

Question
hi! I'm  kris and im a 2nd year highschool and  i just want to ask your help. I cannot come up with a title for our investigatory project that involves bacteria, could you help me please? thanks in advance!

Answer
Dear Kris

Sorry for the delay in answering.  This question was in the Question Pool, where another expert had placed it.  I have only just now received it.

A good title for a scientific paper always tells something about the experiment itself.  Since you don't tell me what you're doing with the bacteria here, I can't suggest a specific title.  But for example, if you are studying the effects of different types of mouthwash on the growth of bacteria, a good title would be:

"The effect of different brands of mouthwash on the growth of XXX (species name) bacteria."

The title of a scientific project should not be so short that the reader doesn't know what the paper is about.  It should give specific information so the reader knows whether or not it's of interest to him or her.

If you go to:

http://www.bio.miami.edu/dana/151/gofigure/

you'll find the online laboratory manual that we use here at the University of Miami.  The appendices might be very useful to you, as you develop your project, and Appendix II will explain proper format for a scientific paper, including how to create an appropriate title.

Hope that helps!  Good luck with your project.

Dana