1 Research Design Paper On Rationale for Participation in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations: A Comparative Analysis of Contributing Nations to United Nations Peacekeeping Operations Meherun Nesa PhD student Department of Political Science Loyola University Chicago email: mnesa@luc.edu 81st Annual Midwest Political Science Association Conference Thursday, April 4 through Sunday, April 7, 2024 Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, IL