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"What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as who you become by achieving your goals." -Henry David Thoreau
Course Description
Course Description
The AP Research course allows students to deeply explore an academic topic, problem, issue, or idea of individual interest. In AP Research, students cultivate the skills and discipline necessary to conduct independent research and inquiry in order to produce and defend their scholarly work. Students design, plan, and implement a yearlong investigation to address a research question they have generated, developed and revised. Through this inquiry, they learn research methods, employ ethical research practices, and access, analyze, and synthesize 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 component.
Honor Policy for Written Work
Honor Policy for Written Work
The subject matter and grading procedures of this class demand academic integrity on the part of young scholars. This includes but is not limited to the avoidance of any form of plagiarism, cheating, and/or any violation of Sparta High School's code of conduct and English Department policies, etc. Students will submit selected assignments to Turnitin.com, and complete all written work on the provided Google Docs.
Students will also sign an attestation which states, “I hereby affirm that the work contained in this Process and Reflection Portfolio is my own and that I have read and understand the AP Capstone Policy on Plagiarism and Falsification or Fabrication of Information.” This attestation is applicable for the duration of the year, and will be kept in their PREP journals.
AP Capstone Policy on Plagiarism and Falisfication or Fabrication of Information
AP Capstone Policy on Plagiarism and Falisfication or Fabrication of Information
The student’s individual voice should be clearly evident, and the ideas of others must be acknowledged, attributed, and/or cited. A student who fails to acknowledge the source or author of any and all information or evidence taken from the work of someone else through citation, attribution or reference in the body of the work, or through a bibliographic entry, will receive a score of 0 on that particular component of the AP Seminar and/or AP Research Performance Task.
A student who incorporates falsified or fabricated information (e.g., evidence, data, sources, and/or authors) will receive a score of 0 on that particular component of the AP Seminar and/or AP Research Performance Task. . [CR2b]
AP Capstone students will be held to exceptionally high standards of academic honesty and ethics. Preparing fairly and effectively for the completion of the paper and presentation tasks requires advanced planning and time management. Many difficulties with plagiarism arise when students leave work to the last minute. Keep track of all the sources used to ensure you do not misattribute information. As an additional safeguard against plagiarism, Advanced Placement Research work—even the drafts—will be submitted to Turnitin.com. [CR2b]
To review the AP Capstone Policy on Plagiarism and Falsification or Fabrication of Information, click here.
Guidance for Artificial Intelligence Tools and Other Services
Guidance for Artificial Intelligence Tools and Other Services
Definition of Generative AI in AP Capstone Courses
Generative AI tools use predictive technology to produce new text, charts, images, audio, video etc. This includes not only ChatGPT and similar Large Language Models (LLMs), but also many writing assistants or plug-ins that are built on this or similar AI technologies. Generative AI tools can be contrasted with other AI-based tools that do specific tasks—for example, that help students with grammar, but don’t generate new writing.
Policy on Acceptable Generative AI Use in AP Capstone
Generative AI tools must be used ethically, responsibly, and intentionally to support student learning, not to bypass it. Accordingly, all performance tasks submitted in AP Seminar and AP Research must be the student’s own work. While students are permitted to use Generative AI tools consistent with this policy, their use is optional and not mandatory. Students can use generative AI tools as optional aids for exploration of potential topics of inquiry, initial searches for sources of information, confirming their understanding of a complex text, or checking their writing for grammar and tone. However, students must read primary and secondary sources directly, perform their own analysis and synthesis of evidence, and make their own choices on how to communicate effectively both in their writing and presentations. It remains the student’s responsibility to engage deeply with credible, valid sources and integrate diverse perspectives when working on the performance tasks. Students must complete interim “checkpoints” with their teacher to demonstrate genuine engagement with the tasks.
See the AP Capstone Policy on Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence, click here.
Helpful Links
Helpful Links
Need to reach Mrs. A? Email is the fastest and easiest way to reach out: Kristina.Acevedo@sparta.org
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