Research is a creative endeavor for social scientists and others who use their methods. How do social scientists design projects that answer the questions they wish to pose? How do they gather information about people and culture? What are the concerns of researchers vis-à-vis the methods they use? In this workshop course, we will first consider elements such as research design, methods, analysis and dissemination and how they fit together. We will examine and try out different methods for conducting research as well as ethical considerations about research. Finally, the workshop aims to help participants consider their position relative to those with whom they conduct research and the way this affects the resulting portrayals in articles, books, film and other media. In this vein, we will also consider the desire for our research benefit communities where we work. Participants will consider how the approach to gathering information and the questions asked may affect the range of perspectives researchers gain and the ways they may use the research.