RAND

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Contents 1 What is RAND? 2 How is research conducted at RAND 3 Similiarites between RAND and academia 4 Differences between RAND and academia 5 Employment at RAND

What is RAND?

• RAND is an independent non-profit research institution that is considered the premier “think tank” for providing objective analysis of social, economic, and national security issues.
• RAND is a collection of scientists working on policy relevant issues that are organized into different divisions (e.g., specialized research centers, projects, and programs) that are focused around various research areas (e.g., education, health care, national security, population and aging, etc) in eightoffices around the world.
• RAND offers non-partisan analysis disseminated through various publications (e.g., books, research reports, briefs, etc) and also offers education and training in terms of a Graduate school, different fellowships, and a Summer Associate Program.

How is research conducted at RAND

• Research is conducted by multidisciplinary research teams composed of researchers from diverse disciplines (e.g., social sciences, economics, statisticians, computer scientists, law and business experts, political science experts, etc), including 42 psychologists.
• Research teams are supported by specialized resources to faciliate research, including departments to help collect data (e.g., survey research group), help analyze the results (e.g., expert statisticians on staff), and help craft research reports and grant proposals (e.g., research communications department).
• Work environment is fast-paced and involves managing multiple projects simultaneously.

Similiarites between RAND and academia

• Use same theoretical frameworks to help explain and predict human behavior
• Use same methodologies and techniques to collect and analyze data
• Projects can be investigator-initiated
• Publish in many of the same journals
• Funding by many of the same agencies

Differences between RAND and academia

• Multidisciplinary research is required
• Research teams are supported by specialized resources (see above)
• Broad dissemination of research findings
• Focused on practical implications of research
• Frequent development of research proposals
• No teaching requirement at RAND but opportunity to teach at RAND Graduate School

Employment at RAND

• RAND has a comprehensive employment website that offers directions for how to find a job at RAND.
• What is RAND looking for? They want researchers who can provide the skills or expertise necessary to carry out the high quality of research conducted at RAND, and are especially interested in individuals with specialized statistical training or expertise in under-researched areas.
• How to get on RAND's radar? Try to work at RAND during graduate school by applying for the RAND Summer School or applying for the entry-level jobs listed on the employment website.

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