Project types are used to determine judging criteria. Students do not need to identify the type of project they did, this will be done by the judges. No project type is "better" than another.

Experiment

An experiment involves performing an investigation to test a hypothesis. At least one independent variable is manipulated and other variables are controlled.

Study

A study involves the analysis, and sometimes collection, of data to test a hypothesis. Studies and experiments are similar. The primary difference is that a study's raw data consists of variables that are difficult or impossible to control for, such as observing the behaviour of wildlife.

Important: Merely collecting information to produce a display is not sufficient to make a good study project. The student should also be able to perform analysis on the data and derive conclusions from it.

Innovation

An innovation involves designing and evaluating some device, appliance, machine or process, etc., that has a practical use.