This course will help you think systematically about issues and topics that are of particular interest to you, and will guide you in writing a research paper based on a topic of your choice. In addition, the course will serve as a basis for reflection about your internships as sources of primary information and experience for your research pursuits, and as a foundation for advancing your professional skills and goals. The overall goal is to assist you in the necessary steps of producing a first-rate research and writing sample that can aid you in your future academic and professional aspirations. The course has several interrelated components. First, it will serve as a tutorial for the development of a solid research paper. In pursuit of this paper, it will also help you maximize the research opportunities provided by your internship. Second, it will introduce you to diverse kinds of data or evidence and the people in Washington who collect and interpret it. Finally, the course will assist you in further developing your professional skills and competencies, and in exploring future career goals and strategies for achieving those goals.