IGO · International Greenwich Olympiad
Reviewed
by
IGO
by
IGO
Participant Guidance
Elements of a successful project
Two disciplines separate a strong IGO entry from an average one: a rigorous journal kept from day one, and a research paper built section by section. Here's exactly what judges expect to see.
1
Create a project journal
Your record of the work — start it on day one and never stop.
Non-negotiable habit
Keep detailed and accurate notes throughout your experiment. Record every observation and every data point, and date each entry without exception. These notes become the backbone of your final report — and your best defence when a judge asks "how do you know?"
2
Write a research paper
Nine sections, in this order. Judges read for structure first — missing a section reads as missing rigour.
Cover page
Project title and your name — nothing more.
Table of contents
List every heading used in the paper, in order.
Abstract
A one-page summary covering title, purpose, hypothesis, method, and main outcomes. This is the section you submit at registration — write it last, but write it precisely.
Introduction
Your research purpose, the background, and your hypothesis. Include whatever led you to choose this project — judges want the "why," not just the "what."
Materials & methods
Describe your procedure and list every material used, in enough detail that someone else could replicate the experiment. Photos or diagrams strengthen this section considerably.
Results
Present your data as graphs, tables, or charts. If the dataset is large, keep the paper readable and move the bulk of it to an appendix.
Discussion
Compare your results with existing data, name possible sources of error, and suggest concrete improvements or follow-up experiments.
Conclusion
Summarise your findings, state plainly whether your hypothesis was supported, and point to a practical application or a next line of research.
Acknowledgements
A brief thank-you to anyone who supported the project — mentors, teachers, family.
References
Every source you used — books, articles, websites — with full publication details. See formatting examples below.
Every section present, in the order above
Hypothesis stated identically in Abstract, Intro & Conclusion
Every claim in Results traces back to your journal
3
Reference formatting
Four source types, four formats. Match the pattern exactly.
Journal article
Johnson, Peter H., "Wired for Warmth" (electric soil warmers — plant propagators), Rodale's Organic Gardening, Jan. 1987, vol. 34, p. 68.
Book
Math, Irwin. Wires & Watts, New York, Scribner, 1981.
Encyclopaedia
"Gyroscopic Properties," The World Book Encyclopaedia, 1988, vol. 8, p. 477.
Website
Planning for College and Academic Planning. The College Board. Accessed 7 June 2000, collegeboard.org.