Question and Explore is a crucial phase in AP Research. It involves identifying intriguing research topics, asking thought-provoking questions, and conducting preliminary research to assess feasibility and relevance. This process lays the foundation for developing a well-defined research question or hypothesis. Key concepts include research questions, hypotheses, literature reviews, and primary and secondary sources. The art of asking good questions is essential, as is exploring different perspectives and research methods. Challenges like scope creep and confirmation bias must be navigated for successful research outcomes.
What topics are covered in AP Research Unit 1 (Question & Explore)?
Unit 1 (Question & Explore) covers Topics 1.1–1.5: identifying and narrowing a problem or research question; retrieving and organizing prior knowledge; accessing and managing information with effective strategies; evaluating the relevance and credibility of sources; and choosing methods, planning inquiry, managing time, and upholding ethical research practices (full unit at https://library.fiveable.me/ap-research/unit-1). You'll practice developing a focused, revisable research question using tools like concept maps and databases (JSTOR, Google Scholar). The unit distinguishes primary vs. secondary sources and shows how to assess author credentials, bias, and methodological rigor. It also walks through matching qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods to your purpose, sampling limits, data-management tools, and IRB/ethical responsibilities. For quick review and practice, Fiveable’s Unit 1 study guide, cheatsheets, cram videos, and practice questions are available on the same page.
Where can I find an AP Research Unit 1 PDF or unit 1 syllabus?
You can grab the Unit 1 study guide (a PDF-style overview/syllabus) on Fiveable’s AP Research page (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-research/unit-1). That page lays out Unit 1: Question and Explore (weeks 1–6), the unit topics, learning goals, and a concise overview that works like a syllabus. For the College Board’s official course description and scoring guidance, check the AP Research Course and Exam Description through your AP teacher or your College Board account — it outlines curricular requirements and unit frameworks. Fiveable’s unit page also links to cheatsheets, cram videos, and practice resources to help you study efficiently.
What are common AP Research Unit 1 questions or practice prompts?
Common Unit 1 prompts ask you to identify a problem and develop a focused research question (for example, “What factors influence student engagement in virtual AP classes?”), retrieve and organize prior knowledge (brainstorm maps or annotated bibliographies), plan information-access strategies (which databases, primary sources, or interview protocols to use), and evaluate source credibility (comparing peer-reviewed articles to social media claims). Practice tasks also include narrowing broad topics, drafting project goals, choosing qualitative/quantitative/mixed methods, and outlining ethical/IRB considerations. Find Unit 1 content and practice prompts on Fiveable’s unit page (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-research/unit-1) and additional practice at (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/research).
How much of the AP Research score is based on Unit 1 skills (question development and exploration)?
There isn’t a published percentage — College Board doesn’t split the AP Research score into fixed “unit” percentages. Big Idea 1 (Question and Explore) maps to discrete rubric criteria (for example CR1a) and those skills are assessed through the course’s performance tasks: the academic paper and the presentation/oral defense. In short: Unit 1 skills matter because they feed specific rubric items, but no official percent-of-score value exists. For a focused review of Unit 1 learning objectives and how they connect to scoring, see Fiveable’s AP Research Unit 1 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-research/unit-1).
How long should I study for AP Research Unit 1 and build my research question?
Plan on about 2–6 weeks for Unit 1. Aim to draft and test a clear research question within 2–4 weeks, then keep refining as you gather sources. A helpful breakdown: 1 week of broad exploration and brainstorming, 1–2 weeks retrieving and organizing prior knowledge and literature, and 1 week testing feasibility, scope, and ethics with your mentor. Reserve roughly 3–6 hours per week for reading, note-taking, and meetings — more if the topic is unfamiliar. Do weekly or biweekly check-ins to narrow focus and make the question answerable. For tools and targeted practice, use Fiveable’s unit guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-research/unit-1) and practice set (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/research).
What's the hardest part of AP Research Unit 1 (forming a viable research question)?
Honestly, the trickiest part is shrinking a big interest into a focused, feasible research question. Students often start with huge topics like climate change or social media and can’t get them specific, clear, and testable. You need to define your variables or concepts. Make the question original but tied to prior work. And be realistic about time, access to data, and methods. Practical moves that help: pick a target population, limit the timeframe or scope, and draft several versions that add or remove constraints until something feels manageable. For a helpful walkthrough, see the Unit 1 overview (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-research/unit-1). It walks through examples and common pitfalls so you can practice narrowing and evaluating questions.
Can I do a case study for my AP Research Unit 1 research question?
Yes — a case study is an appropriate method for Unit 1 (see Unit 1 (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-research/unit-1)). Case studies fit Big Idea 1 (Question and Explore) because they let you dive deep into a specific person, group, organization, or event. They also align with EKs about using primary sources and qualitative methods (e.g., interviews, observations, artifacts). Make sure your case study matches your research question and is feasible in scope and time. Acknowledge limits to generalizability and be explicit about credibility. Plan ethics/IRB steps if people are involved, and describe your sampling and data-analysis approach. For guided examples and planning help, check Fiveable’s Unit 1 study guide and practice materials (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/research).
How do I write a strong research question for AP Research Unit 1?
Begin by aiming for a clear, focused, researchable question that identifies a specific problem, population, and outcome. Narrow your broad interest so it’s doable with the time, resources, and methods you have. Make it open-ended — use how, why, or to what extent — and ground it in prior knowledge and literature. Draft several versions and check the scope: not too broad, not too narrow. Do a quick literature search or pilot and revise based on what’s feasible. Don’t forget ethics and access issues (participants, IRB). Write a one-sentence project goal parallel to the question to clarify your purpose. For step-by-step examples, cheatsheets, and practice prompts, see Fiveable’s AP Research study guide and practice sets at https://library.fiveable.me/practice/research.
