AAQ Must Knows
Page 1: AAQ MUST KNOWS
Page 2: AAQ Practice
On AP exam, you’ll have 25 minutes for the AAQ:
10-minute reading period.
15 minutes to write answers.
Today, we will mimic the 10-minute reading period then work independently or in groups for the answers.
Use slides from the last unit as a review and guide.
Music is okay; phones away and turn in when finished.
Page 3: Part A Overview
Part A will always require identification of the research method used in the provided study.
Examples of research methods:
Experiment
Case study
Correlation
Meta-analysis
Naturalistic observation
Page 4: Part B Overview
Part B asks for the operational definition of a key variable in the study.
Operational definitions are measurable, replicable descriptions of variables.
Use only the provided definitions stated in the study—do not create your own.
Page 5: Part C Overview
Part C requires interpretation and explanation of statistical results.
Types of statistics to describe:
Mean
Median
Mode
Range
Standard deviation
Percentile rank
Skewness
Correlation coefficient
Effect size
Statistical significance
Page 6: Part D Overview
Part D asks to identify one ethical guideline applied by researchers.
Identify only actual guidelines used, not those that should have been applied.
Ethical guidelines include:
Informed consent/assent
Anonymity and confidentiality
Avoiding risk and harm
Avoiding deception
Right to debriefing
Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval
Humane animal research
Page 7: Part E Overview
Part E involves explaining the generalizability of the study's findings.
Consider population information and participant details to assess representativeness.
Take a stance regarding generalizability; avoid using sample size or random assignment as evidence.
Page 8: Part F Overview
Part F examines whether results support or refute the researcher’s hypothesis.
Use the following template:
"The [evidence] supports/refutes (choose one!) the [hypothesis or idea] because [explanation]."
Page 9: AAQ
Page 10: AAQ Questions
A. Identify the research method used in the study. (1 point)
B. State the operational definition of an identified variable. (1 point)
C. Describe the meaning of the identified statistic. (1 point)
D. Identify at least one ethical guideline applied by the researchers. (1 point)
E. Explain the generalizability of findings. (1 point)
F. Explain how findings support/refute the researcher’s hypothesis. (2 points)
Page 11: Task Verbs - Identify/State
Identify/State: Provide specific information about a topic without elaboration.
Usually, one sentence suffices.
A. Identify the research method used in the study.
B. State the operational definition of an identified variable.
D. Identify an ethical guideline applied by researchers.
Page 12: Task Verbs - Describe
Describe: Provide relevant characteristics of a specific topic.
C. Describe the meaning of the identified statistic.
Page 13: Task Verbs - Explain
Explain: Provide information on how or why something occurs, using evidence and reasoning.
E. Explain the extent of generalizability using specific evidence.
F. Explain how findings supports/refutes the hypothesis.
Page 14: Research Methods for Part A
Identify only these methods:
Case Study
Naturalistic Observation
Correlation
Experiment
Meta-analysis
Page 15: Operational Definitions for Part B
State operational definitions measurably.
Use descriptions provided in the study—no personal interpretations.
Page 16: Statistics for Part C
Make sure to describe meanings of:
Mean
Median
Mode
Range
Standard deviation
Percentile rank
Skewness
Correlation coefficient
Effect size
Statistical significance
Page 17: Quick Review - Interpreting Statistics
Graphs: Examine frequency distributions, scatterplots, bar charts, or normal curves.
Mean: Average of data.
Median: Middle value.
Mode: Most frequent score.
Range: Difference between the largest and smallest number.
Standard Deviation: Average distance from the mean.
Skewness: Asymmetry of distribution.
Statistical Significance: P value cutoff of 5% means results are not due to chance.
Correlation Coefficients: Pearson r, with values closest to 1 indicating stronger relationships.
Page 18: Ethical Guidelines for Part D
Identify only those ethical guidelines that were applied:
Informed Consent/Assent
Anonymity and Confidentiality
Avoiding Risk and Harm
Avoiding Deception
Right to Debriefing
Institutional Review Board (IRB)
Humane Animal Research
Page 19: Generalizability for Part E
Explain the extent of the research findings’ generalizability.
Assess population and participant information for representativeness.
Take a position, using specific evidence from the study.
Avoid discussing sample size and random assignment.
Page 20: Answering Part F
Use this format:
"The [evidence] supports/refutes (choose one!) the [hypothesis or idea] because [explanation]."