By definition, it must rely on the work of others, but it must attempt to answer a question. A report is simply a collection of information with no particular attempt to answer a specific question. A field study may not include a definite question, but it is still a study. The student will have no control over what is found when he or she looks through an astronomical telescope or observes an animal population. Studies can appear in any Division in the Fair.
Innovations involve the development and evaluation of devices or procedures.
The main focus of the project is the design and construction of these devices or procedures. Most projects which are to be judged primarily as innovations will probably be in the Engineering or Computing Technology Divisions but an engineering or computing project need not be an innovation. It is also possible that innovations will appear in other Divisions. For example, an innovation which has as its primary focus the development of a new data recording procedure for the behavior of a fish population would be best judged in Life Sciences. Similarly, an identification key for plants would be an innovation to be judged in Life Sciences.