AP Research Curriculum

Sep 20, 2026

Uploaded by Patrick

Planned Instruction for AP Research outlines a Grade 12 curriculum structured across four marking periods plus a beyond-course extension. It specifies course weighting for major assessments (65%) and minor assignments (35%), then maps instruction by unit with day ranges for tasks such as academic writing, ethical research practices, selecting inquiry topics, developing proposals, designing methods, conducting research and literature review, drafting the academic paper, and preparing for presentation and oral defense. It also details digital portfolio submissions and the final PREP requirements for the AP Capstone Diploma.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages18

Reading Time45 min

AccessFree to download

Planned Instruction

AP Research course weightings

Curriculum map by marking period and unit

Marking Period One

Marking Period Two

Marking Period Three

Marking Period Four

Course contents

PLANNED INSTRUCTION A PLANNED COURSE FOR: AP Research Curriculum writing committee: Jessica Hubal Grade Level: 12th Grade Date of Board Approval: AP Research Course Weighting | Major Assessments
(PREP Checks/WIP Presentations & Paper/Performance Assessments) | 65% | | --- | --- | | Minor Assignments (Skills Applications)
(Research Activities/Schedule Checks) | 35% | | Total | 100% | Curriculum Map 1. Marking Period One – Overview with time range in days: UNIT ONE: An Introduction to Academic Writing and Advanced Placement Research • Day 1 – 3: Introduce AP Research Course Goals, Task Descriptions and Process Reflection Portfolio (PREP) . • Day 4-5: Review ethical research practices (Academic Honesty, Plagiarism, IRBs and Turnitin) . • Day 6-7: Identify a topic of interest and an area of inquiry using summer work. • Day 8 – 25: Conduct preliminary research. Develop research question and select appropriate methods for the inquiry process. Begin developing an annotated bibliography. UNIT TWO: From Topic to Proposal-An Integrated Plan • Day 26 – 35: Present preliminary inquiry proposal for peer review. Find and secure expert advisor. • Day 36-45: Finalize and submit Inquiry Proposal Form (and IRB form if applicable) . 2. Marking Period Two – Overview with time range in days: UNIT TWO: From Topic to Proposal-An Integrated Plan • Day 1 – 5: Reflect on feedback and complete background component of inquiry through annotated bibliographies. • Day 6 – 10: Finalize the choice and design of the inquiry method, as well as the research question. • Day 11 – 15: Submit a revised version of proposal (if necessary) and give formal poster presentation and elevator speech. UNIT THREE: Implementing the Inquiry Plan – Methods, Mentors, and the Literature Review • Day 16 – 30: Implement the inquiry plan through continued research, data collection, etc. (experiments, surveys, products, and interviews) . Write a literature review. UNIT FOUR: Preparing the Academic Paper – Drafting Components, Presentation Preparation, and Utilizing Peer Reviews • Day 31 – 45: Continue researching. Begin draft of academic paper, focusing first on revised literature review and methodology sections of the paper. 3. Marking Period Three – Overview with time range in days: UNIT FOUR: Preparing the Academic Paper – Drafting Components, Presentation Preparation, and Utilizing Peer Reviews • Day 1 – 25: Complete any additional experiments, surveys, products, and interviews used for support of research focus. UNIT FIVE: Wrapping Up the Deliverables –Academic Paper, Presentation, and Oral Defense • Day 25 – 40: Complete full rough draft of academic paper. • Day 40 – 45: Submit academic papers to the College Board Digital Portfolio for teacher assessment. 4. Marking Period Four – Overview with time range in days: UNIT FIVE: Wrapping Up the Deliverables –Academic Paper, Presentation, and Oral Defense • Day 1 – 20: Prepare, practice and deliver presentation with oral defense. Submit presentation with oral defense to the College Board Digital Portfolio for teacher assessment. UNIT SIX: Moving Beyond the Advanced Placement Research Course • Day 20 – 30: Deliver final, curated copy of the PREP which articulates moments of insight, challenge, and change experienced in the course as well as implications for further research or study; complete additional Advanced Placement exams to qualify for the AP Capstone Diploma. • Day 30 – 40: Update and practice presentation to present at AP Research Presentation Dinner (Note: Parents, expert advisers, administrators, school board members and teachers are invited) . • Day 40 – 45: Present work and discuss the AP Research course with current AP Seminar students. AP Research Course Contents Curricular Requirements ............................................................................................................................. ii AP Research

FAQs

How is AP Research assessed in this curriculum?

Major assessments account for 65% and minor assignments for 35%, totaling 100%. Major work includes PREP checks, WIP presentations, and paper/performance assessments; minor work focuses on research activities and skill applications.

What happens in Unit One during Marking Period One?

Students are introduced to AP Research goals and tasks, learn ethical research practices, identify a topic using summer work, and conduct preliminary research to develop a research question and start an annotated bibliography.

When is the academic paper submitted to the College Board Digital Portfolio?

During Marking Period Three, students complete the full rough draft and submit academic papers to the College Board Digital Portfolio for teacher assessment during days 40–45.

Sep 20, 2026

Uploaded by Patrick

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