AP Research Vocab Terms

Abstract

 A scholarly summary that briefs the results and procedures in a research paper or compiles the ideas of several sources. These sources can include books or articles.

Alignment

Ensuring that your research or experiment follows a logical path which you study throughout the entire project. 

Assumption

When you think something about someone or something before you actually know or have done research about it.

Bias

 When someone or something shows more favor for one side of an argument than the other. It often is unfair, prejudicial, or includes stereotypes. 

Claim

An assertion of evident truth

Commentary

Discussion related to a topic. Opinions on a topic and is often live.

Complex Issues

An issue that is able to be approached or looked at from multiple different lenses or perspectives. 

Conclusion

the end of a sentence, paragraph, or essay. Relates back to the intro paragraph/original hypothesis or idea, summarizes overall paper, and shows the importance and possible solutions of the topic

Credibility

 Validity of information that comes from the source of the information. Credible information comes from scholarly sources and experts in the field of the information you’re looking at.

Data Analysis

the process where you systematically apply logical techniques to describe, condense, and evaluate data. 

Evidence

 facts and perspectives that support a claim.

Hypothesis

 an assumption formed in order to test an experiment or its consequences

Implications

plausible outcomes that are the results of specific actions

Limitation

a factor in a solution or conclusion that could reduce its effectiveness when implemented

Literature

 A composition of informational writings in order to broaden and inform readers about a certain topic.

New Understanding

 An understanding that is different from the original understanding that is generated through research

Plagiarism

Taking someone’s research and purposefully trying to pass it off as your own

Primary Research

Information obtained first hand, directly from the source and not the data/conclusions of others. Example: the statistical results obtained from a survey you personally gave to others. 

Primary Source

A first-hand account of an event

Secondary Source

this is a source that is created at a later date by someone who did not experience an specific event