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.
Participate in the AP Capstone Diploma ProgramTo offer AP Research, schools must sign up to participate in AP Capstone, and teachers need to attend mandatory summer training. Visit the AP Capstone Diploma program page for more information.
This is the core document for the course. It clearly lays out the course content and describes the assessment. The CED was updated in fall 2023 to include the AP Capstone policy on the use of generative AI.
This resource provides a succinct description of the course and exam.
Only schools participating in the AP Capstone Diploma™ Program may offer AP Seminar or AP Research. Learn how the program works and how it benefits students and schools.
AP Capstone presentations can be delivered in a remote or in-person setting.
Based on the Understanding by Design (Wiggins and McTighe) model, the curriculum framework is intended to provide a clear and detailed description of the course requirements necessary for student success. This conceptualization will guide the development and organization of learning outcomes from general to specific, resulting in focused statements about content knowledge and skills needed for success in the course.
The AP Research curriculum is made up of five big ideas. As always, you have the flexibility to organize the course content as you like.
The AP Research framework included in the course and exam description outlines distinct skills, called transferrable skills and proficiencies, that students should practice throughout the year.
Establish Argument
Demonstrating the significance of one’s research by explaining the rationale behind the choices made in the research process and logically connecting the findings to one’s conclusions or new understandings
Select and Use Evidence
Evaluating the significance of the findings, results, or product to the purpose or goal of one’s inquiry and strategically choosing such evidence to effectively support claims
Research Design
Narrowing a focus of inquiry and identifying an aligned, ethical, feasible approach or method to accomplish the purpose of the research question and/or project goal
Understand and Analyze Argument
Analyzing evidence for what is known about one’s topic of inquiry to further focus and situate one’s research question or project goal
Evaluate Sources and Evidence
Evaluating the credibility, relevance, and significance of sources and evidence to the choices made in the inquiry process
Understand and Analyze Context
Contextualizing the purpose and significance of one’s topic of inquiry within a broader field or discipline
Engage Audience
Choosing and employing effective written and oral communication techniques, considering audience, context, and purpose to convey and defend conclusions or new understandings
Apply Conventions
Choosing and consistently applying an appropriate citation style and effective conventions of writing
Collaborate
Working constructively with others to accomplish a team goal or task
Reflect
Identifying challenges, successes, and moments of insight throughout one’s inquiry, which transformed one’s own thinking and reasoning