Data Collection & Analysis
What this unit covers
The topics below follow the published Research course framework for Unit 2. Research publishes no per-unit weighting, so there is no percentage to chase here.
Lessons in this unit
- Research Ethics & the IRB14 min · 3 objectivesExplain the purpose of an Institutional Review Board and research ethics review · Apply core ethical principles: informed consent, confidentiality, and minimizing harm · Identify special protections required when research involves human subjects, especially minors
- Collecting Data14 min · 3 objectivesDesign survey and interview instruments that avoid common measurement errors · Distinguish leading, double-barreled, and neutral questions · Select data-collection procedures that fit the method and protect data quality
- Analyzing Data15 min · 3 objectivesDistinguish descriptive from inferential statistics and interpret basic measures · Outline the process of coding and thematic analysis for qualitative data · Explain why correlation does not establish causation
What examiners penalize here
- AP Research requires documenting how you addressed ethics — consent, confidentiality, and harm — in your process and paper. Fabricating or falsifying data is a policy violation that can invalidate your score. Reviewers expect an explicit account of how participants were protected.
- Reviewers scrutinize alignment between your instrument and your question. Include or describe your actual survey items or interview protocol in an appendix, and justify your wording choices — a hidden or poorly worded instrument undermines the credibility of every result you report.
- Report analysis at a level you can defend. Reviewers reward interpretation matched to your data and method — correct descriptive statistics and honest association language, or transparent coding and themes — far more than an impressive-sounding test you cannot justify or a causal claim your design cannot support.
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 2?
The Research course framework does not publish a per-unit weighting, so there is no percentage to quote for Unit 2 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 2?
Data Collection & Analysis covers Sampling, Analysis, Validity and Reliability.
How should I study Research Unit 2?
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.