AP Research

Avon Lake City Schools 

Curriculum Framework

Advanced Placement Research

Course Overview:

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 (PREP). 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. 

Textbook (Title and Publishing Company): 

None

Online/Supplemental Materials:

AP Classroom Materials are shared and Used

Assessments: 

Annotated Bibliography

Student Research Paper

Presentation and Oral Defense

Content/Topics/Learning Goals

Subject to Pacing and Schedules

1st Quarter- 

  • Developing a Research Topic

  • Developing a Research Question

  • Creating an Annotated Bibliography

  • Constructing a Literature Review

2nd Quarter- 

  • Constructing a Method/Approach/Design to independent research

  • Writing a Method/Approach/Design section to the Research Paper Assessment 

3rd Quarter- 

  • Perform Independent Research

  • Complete Analysis/Results of Independent Research Result and write that section of the research paper.

  • Complete the Conclusion/Future Directions section of Research Paper

4th Quarter -  

  • Complete/Compile Edit Final Paper

  • Prepare and deliver Presentation and Oral Defense

  • Create and Deliver Presentation for public display after College Board due date

Last Updated:

September, 2023