Research Design
What this unit covers
The topics below follow the published Research course framework for Unit 1. Research publishes no per-unit weighting, so there is no percentage to chase here.
Lessons in this unit
- Finding the Gap in the Literature14 min · 3 objectivesDefine a "gap in the literature" and explain why original research must address one · Distinguish a genuine research gap from a topic that is merely unfamiliar to the student · Formulate a focused research question that a gap justifies
- Choosing a Method: Qualitative, Quantitative & Mixed15 min · 3 objectivesDistinguish qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods approaches · Match a research method to the kind of question being asked · Explain why the question — not preference — should drive method selection
- Sampling, Validity & Reliability14 min · 3 objectivesDistinguish common sampling strategies and their effect on generalizability · Define validity and reliability and explain how they differ · Identify threats to validity and reliability in a proposed design
What examiners penalize here
- The AP Research paper and rubric expect you to *situate* your study in existing scholarship and articulate the gap it addresses. Reviewers look for an explicit statement of what is missing and why your question fills it — a study with no articulated gap loses credit in the very first rubric row.
- The AP Research rubric rewards **alignment**: your method must clearly follow from your question, and your analysis from your method. State explicitly why your chosen approach fits the question — reviewers penalize a mismatch between what you asked and how you tried to answer it.
- The AP Research rubric expects you to name your sampling method and openly discuss threats to validity and reliability in your Limitations. Reviewers reward researchers who anticipate their own design’s weaknesses — hiding them reads as not understanding them.
Practice Research
Our practice bank is drawn from across the whole course rather than filtered to one unit, which is closer to how the exam asks anyway — it will not tell you which unit a question is testing.
Questions about this unit
How much of the AP Research exam is Unit 1?
The Research course framework does not publish a per-unit weighting, so there is no percentage to quote for Unit 1 and anyone who gives you one is guessing. Spread your time by where your own errors are instead.
What topics are covered in Research Unit 1?
Research Design covers Gap in knowledge, Methodology, Ethics and Literature review.
How should I study Research Unit 1?
Read the 3 lessons below first — about 45 minutes — then work practice questions on these topics. Finish with practice questions and read the explanation for every one you get right by elimination as well as the ones you miss.
All 4 units of AP Research
Unit names, topics and exam weights follow the published College Board course framework for AP Research. AP® is a trademark registered by the College Board, which does not endorse this site.