I’ve taken it and am currently in AP Research too (I’m a senior). My school requires us to do it, as part of our thesis requirement. Personally, I hated it and would have rather taken something else
1-2. This will depend on your teacher. Mine was pretty laid-back, but the other teachers at my school assigned students a lot of prep-work. Towards the deadlines, you will probably be working more on the papers/presentations.
3. The first month was going over the requirements and basic research skills. We did a practice IRR and then worked on the real one until Jan. Then we had presentations for those, and then had to start working on the IWA (the second paper).
4. No, especially since you won’t be completing the sequence. Even if you like Research, you won’t be completing any original research.
5. I’d say no. Do another class that is in-line with your interests.
6. You’ll basically learn research skills and how to write certain kinds of papers.
7. Depends on your teacher.
8. Very few. My two in-state schools do, so I’m lucky in that regard.