Tulane University

How will you get the data you need for your thesis or dissertation? Do you envision immersing yourself for months in "the local culture" …tromping the hills or streets seeking out your household respondents? …sorting through dusty archives in a ministry basement or library? …observing musicians at work in the plaza? …downloading and crunching numbers on a computer? How do you get there, from here? This workshop aims to help you approach your data collection and analysis for your thesis or dissertation topic, to adapt and refine your topic to be feasible, and how to take your research project ideas to the next step-whatever that may be. The workshop should help you:

• plan more efficient, feasible and rewarding fieldwork
• prepare more compelling and persuasive grant proposals
• navigate choices of research (methods, design) courses on campus
• become a better research and fieldwork team-member

Format
This is an engaged, hands-on, informal workshop. All students will actively share ideas and participate. We will brainstorm alternatives and talk about research approaches and course offerings. You will be encouraged to think differently about your larger topic, specific questions, sites and locations, study designs, language preparation, budgets and financial needs, and other aspects. The participatory format is intended not just to convey information, but to inspire new thinking, open up new strategies, and to build student networks to continue learning about field research.

Who is leading this?
This workshop is being offered by Laura Murphy, PhD, faculty in Global Health Systems & Development, Stone Center for Latin American Studies, the Payson Center and the Social Entrepreneurship program.

Who is this for?
The workshop is targeted to Stone Center masters students who need to develop their thesis idea. Graduate students from other programs (Payson, GHSD, CCC, etc.) are welcome on a first-come-first serve, if space is available. The workshop will be particularly helpful for those who envision research with "human subjects" (live people!) but any research ideas and disciplines are welcome.

Sign up
To register, send an email to Laura Murphy at lmurphy2@tulane.edu with your name, department, degree program, and prior experience and training in research methods. Important! Include a paragraph statement of your research question and (current) methods.

For more information: Contact Laura Murphy or Jimmy Huck (jhuck@tulane.edu)

Light breakfast and lunch will be provided