General Research: Developing Critical Writing and Thinking Skills Through Independent Research

The general research seminar introduces you to some of the main tools of social science research methods. You will learn and apply tools that will help you a) ask and try to answer critical questions about the world around you; b) understand the logic and significance of evidence-based research for analytical writing, policy recommendations and decision-making; and. c) explore research tools for your own research project. You will learn how to formulate focused and researchable questions, identify reliable data and relevant sources, and produce a robust literature review. You will also learn the uses and merits of case studies, and develop tools to reading statistical analyses and findings to better support your own research projects. Finally, you will be introduced to the elements of a policy brief and will be encouraged to use your internship experience to apply your research skills for the final research project. Ultimately, this class aims to strengthen your research competence and confidence in using tools relevant to whatever career path you choose.

 

 

About the Instructor: I am a scholar-practitioner with subject area expertise in the politics of development, gender, youth and communication. I taught at numerous universities in Morocco and the United States, including the American University’s School of International Service and the George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs. I am the author, co-author, and editor of numerous publications in my subject areas. I consulted with numerous intern/national development organizations and agencies including USAID, the World Bank, World Learning, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Department of State and the Global Fund for Women. I earned my BA from Mohamed V University in Rabat (Morocco), my MA in socio-cultural anthropology from Essex University (England) and my PhD from the Pennsylvania State University, USA.