AP Seminar: Finding Evidence for Your Topic and Moving to a Research Question

Summary

In Lesson Five of the AP Seminar Virtual Series, Gerardo Gonzales from Lane Tech College Prep in Chicago guides students on developing effective research questions. He outlines the revised AP exam format for 2020, emphasizing the increased weight of the Individual Written Argument (IWA). Gonzales stresses the importance of starting with a solid research question, differentiating between solutions-based and positions-based papers. He offers strategies for formulating research questions, ensuring they are specific, debatable, and researchable. Gonzales also highlights the necessity of thorough research and engagement with alternative perspectives to create a well-reasoned argument.

Takeaways

• 📚 The instructor, Gerardo Gonzales, teaches at Lane Tech College Prep in Chicago, Illinois, and is leading a lesson on developing effective research questions for AP Seminar.
• 🔍 The lesson focuses on the importance of forming well-reasoned research questions that reflect multiple perspectives and lead to a complex argument considering the issue at hand.
• ⚠️ Due to changes in the 2020 AP exam format, the individual research report now accounts for 38.5% of the AP Seminar score, while the Integrated Writing Assignment (IWA) is weighted more heavily at 61.5%.
• 🎓 The skills developed in presentations, such as the Team Multimedia Presentation (TMP) and Individual Multimedia Presentation and Oral Defense (InP), are valuable for future academic and professional settings, even though they are not counted in the 2020 exam.
• 🔄 The research question is subject to change as research is often a recursive process, allowing for adjustments as new information is discovered.
• 📈 The goal is to transition from a general topic to a more focused research question, ensuring it is neither too broad nor too narrow to be effectively addressed within the constraints of the assignment.
• 🤔 Students are encouraged to determine the type of research paper they want to write: one that solves a problem (solutions-based) or one that takes a position on a debatable issue (position-based).
• 📝 Effective research questions have five components: requiring judgment or evaluation, being researchable, involving genuine points of debate, engaging with alternative perspectives, and being simple without containing multiple questions.
• 🧐 The phrasing of the research question is crucial to ensure it leads to an argumentative paper rather than a report, avoiding loaded terms and leading questions.
• 🔍 Students are advised to conduct thorough research, including reading academic journals in full, to identify a debate within their field and to refine their research question accordingly.
• ✍️ The process of developing a research question involves initial drafting, consultation with teachers, further research, and eventual refinement to align with the requirements of the assignment.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the lesson presented by Gerardo Gonzales?

The main focus of the lesson is developing effective research question questions for the AP Seminar course.

What changes were made to the AP exam as per the 2020 exam window?

The changes include the removal of the team multimedia presentation (TMP), individual multimedia presentation and oral defense (InP), and the end-of-course exam from the components that make up the score.

How much of the AP Seminar score is now attributed to the individual research report according to the 2020 changes?

The individual research report is now worth about thirty-eight point five percent of the AP Seminar score.

What percentage of the AP Seminar score is attributed to the Investigative Writing Assignment (IWA) after the changes?

The IWA is now worth 61.5% of the AP Seminar score.

Why is it important to start with a good topic and its connections to stimulus materials in the IWA?

It is important because the increased weight of the IWA requires a strong foundation to ensure a well-reasoned argument and effective research.

What is the general goal for students when transitioning from a general topic to a research question?

The general goal is to develop a focused research question that leads to a well-reasoned argument and takes the complexity of the issue into consideration.

What are the two types of papers that students can write according to the lesson?

Students can write a solutions-based paper that attempts to solve a problem, or a position-based paper that takes a stance on a debatable issue.

What is an example of a solutions-based research question format?

An example format for a solutions-based research question is 'What is the best way to [solve the problem]?' or 'How should we [solve the problem]?'.

What is an example of a position-based research question format?

An example format for a position-based research question is 'Should [action/solution] be implemented to [desired outcome]?' or 'To what extent [debatable issue]?'.

What are the five components of a research question according to the lesson?

The five components are: requiring a judgment or evaluation to be made, being researchable, involving genuine points of ongoing debate, engaging with alternative perspectives, and being simple without containing multiple nested questions.

How should students approach the development of their research question?

Students should first do enough research to identify a debate within their field, determine whether they want to solve a problem or take a position on an issue, choose an appropriate question stem, draft their research question with all components in mind, and be open to making adjustments throughout the research process.

What is the importance of keeping the research question localized?

Localizing the research question by providing a specific place, population, or event helps to narrow the parameters of the research, making it more manageable and focused.

What is the role of the seminar teacher in helping students with their research questions?

The seminar teacher can provide feedback, ask probing questions to ensure the student is on the right track, and guide them in refining their research questions.

What is the significance of using academic peer-reviewed work in the research process?

Academic peer-reviewed work is a requirement of the assessment and ensures that the research is based on credible and validated sources.