A method of preparing a positive electrode active material is disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the method includes firing a first mixture at 400° C. to 700° C. to prepare a primary firing product, wherein the first mixture has a positive electrode active material precursor having a specific composition, a first lithium-containing source material, and optionally, an aluminum-containing source material, and firing a second mixture at a temperature above the firing temperature of the first mixture to prepare a positive electrode active material, wherein the second mixture has the primary firing product, a second lithium-containing source material, and a specific doping element M1-containing source material. The method is capable of degrading the cake strength of a primary firing product and providing a positive electrode active material having excellent quality by dividing a firing process into two steps.