Mrs. Tonissen

Research is the force that propels humanity forward.

Welcome to year two of the AP Capstone program! After learning how to enter the academic conversation in AP Seminar, AP Research 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.

AP Research Performance Task: 

While the topic of each research study will vary, the course requires students to plan and conduct a study or investigation. The course provides opportunities (activities/assignments) for students to understand principles of discipline-specific research methods (e.g., qualitative, quantitative, mixed) to develop, manage, and conduct an in-depth study or investigation in an area of student’s own interest in order to fill a gap in the current field of knowledge. The final output of these efforts includes:

A 4,000 – 5,000 word Academic Paper (75% of the grade) that includes several components as follows:

Introduction: This section introduces and contextualizes the research question and initial student assumptions and/or hypotheses. Additionally it reviews the previous work in the field to synthesize information and a range of perspectives related to the research question (e.g., literature review) to allow for the student to identify the gap in the current field of knowledge to be addressed.

Method, Process, or Approach: This section explains and provides justification for the chosen method, process, or approach.

Results, Products, or Findings: This section presents the findings, evidence, results, or product from the student’s work.

Discussion, Analysis, and/or Evaluation: This section interprets the significance of the findings, results, or product and explores connections to the original research question while discussing the implications and limitations of the research or creative work.

Conclusion and Future Directions: This section reflects on the process and how this project could impact the field while discussing the possible next steps and/or future directions.

Bibliography: This section provides a complete list of sources cited and consulted in the appropriate disciplinary style.

A 15-20 minute Presentation and Oral Defense (25% of the grade): This presentation may be accomplished in a variety of formats, so long as it reflects the depth of their research. Prior to this performance, the students whose academic paper was accompanied by an additional piece of scholarly work (e.g., performance, exhibit, etc.) will arrange for the teacher and panelists to view the scholarly work. The defense will include up to four questions from a panel consisting of the AP Research teacher and two additional members (chosen at the AP Research teacher’s discretion). 

AP RESEARCH DIGITAL PORTFOLIO IS DUE TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2024. 

Inquiry Proposal Form: 

Prior to engaging in your research, students must submit to the AP Research Teacher an Inquiry Proposal Form that clearly identifies the topic of study, research question, preliminary research, and the relevant methodological and ethical considerations. Only once approval has been granted will the student be allowed to seek a consulting expert and begin the research process in earnest.

Process and Reflection Portfolio (PREP): 

AP Research is not merely about collecting evidence or facts and then piecing them together. Instead, the research process is about true inquiry—asking questions and coming to solutions and conclusions through serious thinking, discussion, and reflection. The student researcher will seek relevant information in articles, books, and other sources and develop an informed perspective built upon, but not merely a derivative of, the ideas in the examined material. As a result, the research process is recursive, meaning that students will regularly revisit ideas, seek new information when necessary, and reconsider and refine their research question, topic, and/or approach.

While the academic paper, presentation, and oral defense are the assessed manifestations of this process, other products, exhibits, and/or performances may be used by students to develop their ideas further. Specifically to keep track of the inquiry process, students are required to keep a digital Process and Reflection Portfolio (PREP)—a formative assessment tool that will be shared in real time with their AP Research Teacher.

We will be using Google Classroom. See the codes below.