The Social Sciences Summer at Columbia University is a non-degree program providing students with an understanding of the principles and skills to design and conduct social research. It encourages students to critically evaluate the methods, strategies and data used by social scientists and provides training in analysing a range of qualitative and quantitative methods. The program is structured for highly motivated students with interest in the social sciences and the research process. Students will work closely with faculty in daily seminars. The two and a half-week program culminates with a series of presentations of group research proposals, in which students will collaborate with each other and Columbia University faculty and staff to lay the groundwork for a larger research project.