AP® Research, the second course in the AP Capstone™ experience, allows students to deeply explore an academic topic, problem, issue, or idea of individual interest. Students design, plan, and implement a yearlong investigation to address a research question. Through this inquiry, they further the skills they acquired in the AP® Seminar course by learning research methodology, employing ethical research practices, and accessing, analyzing, and synthesizing information. Students reflect on their skill development, document their processes, and curate the artifacts of their scholarly work through a process and reflection portfolio. The course culminates in an academic paper of 4,000-5,000 words (accompanied by a performance, exhibit, or product where applicable) and a presentation with an oral defense.

 

The AP Research course operates as year two of the AP Capstone™ program. After teaching students how to enter the academic conversation in AP® Seminar, the AP® Research year is designed to instruct students how to begin that conversation. AP® Research is an inquiry-based course that encourages students to locate a gap in their preferred discipline of study and to explore a topic of personal interest. Students are empowered to collect and analyze information with accuracy and precision in order to craft, communicate, and eventually defend their argument or their position. This course is taken as an elective.

 

*Students in AP® Research are expected to check in with the instructor during weekly open office hours and follow the pacing schedule set forth by the instructor.

The AP Research course is organized around five big ideas that form the QUEST framework; students will use this framework as they explore issues and topics throughout the course. In-class activities and homework assignments will focus on developing skills and meeting the end of course objectives that are tied to each of the following elements of the QUEST framework below: 

 

Q- Question and Explore 

U- Understand and Analyze 

E- Evaluate Multiple Perspectives 

S- Synthesize Ideas 

T- Team, Transform, and Transmit 

 

AP® Research students understand that the research process is not linear, but recursive, requiring students to think and re-think continually about their proposed research question and their selected research method, design, and approach to ensure a cohesive alignment of the final academic paper of approximately 4,000-5,000 words (75 percent of the summative AP® assessment). Students will reflect on all phases and components of the research process by creating and regularly updating a process and reflection portfolio (PREP). Students will present their research findings in a multimedia format and participate in an oral defense of their research (25 percent of the summative AP® Research assessment). 

 

The successful AP® Research student possesses the necessary discipline for independent study and fully engages in all phases of product development, individually and in peer-review assessments, and adheres to all deadlines. 

 

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