This course is designed to help you think systematically about issues and topics that are of particular interest to you, and will guide you in writing a significant, empirically grounded research paper based on a topic of your choice. In addition, the course will serve as a basis for reflection about your DC internships as sources of primary information and experience for your research pursuits, and as a foundation for advancing your professional skills and goals. 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 and residency in DC. 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 or graduate school goals and strategies for achieving those goals.