Political Scientist Mr. Adam Ramey delivers lecture and visits LERC

Thursday 16th July 2009, NDU, Zouk Mosbeh
Reported by Damian Naylor, LERC Intern

Mr. Adam Ramey, Ph.D. Candidate in Political Science from the University of Rochester in New York, USA visited LERC in July 2009.

His first visit was an occasion to meet with LERC Director Ms. Guita Hourani, LERC Adjunct Researcher Dr. Eugene Sensenig-Dabbous, as well as LERC Researchers and staff.

Mr. Ramey was first introduced to LERC activities and given an extensive tour of the LERC facilities, including the library, electronic archives, and museum.  He was able to lend his expertise on research and on how it can be conducted to obtain the best results.

Mr. Ramey kindly delivered a lecture on Western Research Methods.  He dealt primarily with quantitative research vs. qualitative research, and why quantitative research is becoming a dominant approach to research in the US, and why it is so useful in attaining concrete results.  He also discussed Rational Choice Theory, the idea that people are rational and will always act in their best interests, and its application in the field of research.  These, along with other discussed topics, made for a very interesting and informative lecture for the students and faculty in attendance and no doubt gave a good view of alternative approaches to research.