3 min read•june 18, 2024
Zaina Siddiqi
Zaina Siddiqi
So... how do you find an AP Research topic?
This is a topic you'll be researching and experimenting with for the next 8 to 9 months, so you'll definitely want to choose something you're fascinated with.
Start by thinking about your OWN interests. Yes, Norse mythology would be fascinating to SOME people, while artificial intelligence is fascinating to others. Whatever your topic, make sure you have a genuine interest in it!
In this section, we'll find a general topic through personal interests and passion for certain subject fields. But, before we settle on a topic, we need to make sure there is a diverse range of perspectives on the issue.
For example, there's probably not a diverse range of perspectives on the nutritional value of your peanut butter and jelly sandwich... but you may want to research the declining nutritional value of school lunches (that is, if you're interested 😅).
🥳 Action item: Brainstorm some fields you're interested in! They can be as specific or general as you want, there's time to refine them ---> Asking questions can lead to the uncovering of connections that can spark further curiosity or understanding and give rise to more questions.
😱 DISCLAIMER: You'll have to conduct independent research, and if you're collecting data yourself, it has to be FEASIBLE. Spending thousands of dollars on an AP Research project will NOT guarantee a 5, nor will it disqualify you. So, buying a particle accelerator to see if you can create another Barry Allen is probably not the best idea.
Image courtesy of GIPHY
For your research to be meaningful, you have to contribute to the overall existing body of literature. When you finally settle on a field/topic, your research must address a gap.
🥳 Now's a good time to figure out your purpose. What do you want to do with your research? Explain? Explore? Create?
Now that you've figured out your purpose, you can more clearly define the direction your research is going by formulating a .
You may:
Here are some good research questions:
Now, onto 1.2, where you'll strengthen your understanding of your research question and develop a contextual understanding of that field! Good luck, you've got this! 😊