public function raw($method, $url, $body = NULL) {
	  if(!is_string($method)) {
	    // bad data passed
		  throw new LinkedInException('LinkedIn->raw(): bad data passed, $method must be of string value.');
	  }
	  if(!is_string($url)) {
	    // bad data passed
		  throw new LinkedInException('LinkedIn->raw(): bad data passed, $url must be of string value.');
	  }
	  if(!is_null($body) && !is_string($url)) {
	    // bad data passed
		  throw new LinkedInException('LinkedIn->raw(): bad data passed, $body must be of string value.');
	  }
    
    // construct and send the request
	  $query = self::_URL_API . '/v1' . trim($url);
	  return $this->fetch($method, $query, $body);
	}