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]."