             
 |
|
|
Research Methods for Public Administrators, Second Edition
E-text available Click here to preview or purchase. |
||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
Comments/Reviews
Description: Designed for beginning MPA students and practitioners, this highly practical text focuses on the interpretation and use of research findings, not just number-crunching. The book is solidly grounded in public administration, and recognizes both the promise and limitations of research within a political environment.
Research Methods for Public Administration covers the entire research process, from initial questions to the final report. It takes in the common analytical techniques, including regression and inferential statistics, but sets analysis within the entire research process. Filled with practical examples that illustrate the social science concepts, the book avoids the use of jargon and explains difficult ideas in clear language. It includes plentiful end-of-chapter exercises that provide opportunities for concrete application of the concepts. Key points are highlighted as "takeaway lessons," and the tough questions to ask are suggested in every chapter.
PowerPoint slides created by the author are available online at http://researchdemystified.org/research-powerpoints.
Selected Contents:
List of Illustrations
Preface and Acknowledgments
1. Introduction: Research Methods for Public Administrators
Overview
Goals: Research as a Critical Thinking Tool
Research in the Public Sector
What Is Research?
Types of Research
Ethics and Principles of Good Research
Overview of Book
Exercises
2. Basic Reasearch Concepts
Overview
The Secret Language of Social Science
Theory
Hypothesis in Its Many Forms
Variables
Values
Levels of Measurement
Determining Causality
Independent and Dependent Variables
Control Variables
Direction of Relationships
Program Evaluation: Research in the Public Sector
Using Models for a Holistic View of Relationships
The Logic Model
Applying the Logic Model
Conclusion
Exercises
3. What's Your Question?
Overview
Determining the Research Question
Learning from Others
Engaging the Stakeholders
Working Together
Types of Questions
Descriptive Questions
Normative Questions
Relationship Questions
Conclusion
Exercises
4.Identifying Measures and Measurement Strategy
Overview
Defining Key Terms
Conceptual Definitions
Operational Definitions
Setting Boundaries
Valid and Reliable Measures
Validity
Reliability
Why Measurement Matters
Conclusion
Exercises
5. Designs for Research: The Xs and Os Framework
Overview
Designing an Experiment
Applying the Design Elements: The Xs and Os Framework.
Non-experimental Design
Quasi-experimental Design
Classic Experimental Design
Design Variations
Using Statistical Controls to Create Comparison Groups
Longitudinal Studies
Nonexperimental design
Internal Validity
Why Validity Matters
External Validity
Conclusion
Exercises
6. Other Research Approaches
Overview
Secondary Analysis of Data
Evaluation Synthesis (Meta-Analysis)
Content Analysis
Survey Research
Case Studies
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Conclusion
Exercises
7. Data Collection I: Available Data and Observation
Overview
Data Collection: The Degree of Structure
Available Data
Data Collection Instruments
Observation
Obtrusive and Unobtrusive Data Collection
The Design Matrix
Conclusion
Exercises
8. Data Collection II: Interviews and Focus Groups
Overview
General Guidelines about Choosing the Appropriate Method
Encouraging Participation
In-Person Interviews
Focus Groups
Conclusion
Exercises
9. Data Collection III: Surveys
Overview
General Issues about Surveys
Response Rates
Telephone Surveys
Mail Surveys
Cyber-Research: E-mail and Web-based Surveys
Developing Closed-Ended Questions
Using One-Way and Two-Way Intensity Scales
Ranking Questions
Conclusion
Exercises
10. Sampling Demystified
Overview
Sampling: The Jargon
Random and Non-Random Samples
Non-Random Samples: The Options
Random Samples: The Options
Simple Random Sample
Systematic Random Sampling
Stratified Random Sample
Proportional Stratified Sample
Disproportional Stratified Sample
Cluster Sample
Determining Sample Size
Non-Sampling Errors
Conclusion
Exercises
11. Qualitative Data Analysis
Overview
Analyzing Qualitative Data
Identifying Themes and Quotes
Working with Qualitative Data
Conclusion
Exercises
12. Data Analysis for Description
Overview
Simple Descriptive Statistics in Public Administration
Commonly Used Descriptive Statistics
Counts
Percents
Rates
Ratios
Rates of Change
Distributions
Analyzing Survey Scales
Applying the Decision Rules
Handling the Middle Category in One-Way Intensity Scales
Measures of Central Tendency
Which Measure to Use?
Should Means Be Used with Nominal or Ordinal Data?
Measures of Dispersion
Describing Two Variables at the Same Time
Cross Tabulations
Comparison of Means
Conclusion
Exercises
13. Data Analysis: Exploring Relationships
Overview
Using Crosstabs to Examine Relationships
Controlling for a Third Variable
Exploring Relationships: Comparison of Means
Measures of Association
Frequently Used Measures of Association
Working with Interval/Ratio Data
Conclusion
Exercises
14. Data Analysis: Regression
Overview
Bivariate Regression: Key Elements
Using Bivariate Regression Analysis: Sunshine and Tourists
Multiple Regression
Beta Weights: Relative Predictive Strength
Regression in the News
Why Did the Violent Crime Rate Drop after 1991?
Conclusion
Exercises
15. Data Analysis Using Inferential Statistics
Overview
Statistical Significance: Basic Concepts
The Logic of Statistical Significance Testing
Errors in Tests for Statistical Significance
Common Tests for Statistical Significance
Chi-square
t-Tests: Analyzing Difference in Means
Analysis of Variance (Anova)
Tests for Statistical Significance in Regression Analysis
Reporting Results of Statistical Significance
Population Estimates and Confidence Intervals
Conclusion
Exercises
16. Communicating Research Results
Overview
Effectively Reporting Results
Reporting Data
General Guide for Communicating Research Results
Guide for Writing an Executive Summary
Guide for Writing a Formal Report
Guide for Using Charts and Tables to Tell the Story
Guide for Oral Presentations
Presenting Unwelcome Information
Conclusion
Exercises
17. Conclusion: Research at the Intersection of Politics and Administration
Overview
The Research Process Revisited
Planning
Doing
Reporting
Ethics and Social Justice
Managing Research Projects
Assessing Credibility
Limitations of Science
The Intersection of Research, Politics, and Administration
Closing Observations
Exercises
Appendix A. Mathematical Formulas for Selected Statistics
Appendix B. Statistics as a Second Language
Appendix C. References and Resources
Appendix D. Logic Model Template
Appendix E. The Generic Design Matrix
Index
About the Author
Comment(s): "This book demystifies and makes practical the research essentials every public administrator and policy analyst needs to do the job well. More importantly, it shows how the language of analysis--data--gets transformed into useful information and teaches students critical thinking skills. Examples in the book speak to all involved in policy and administration: public and non-profit administrators, front-line workers, policy analysts, elective officials and citizens." -- Cheryl Simrell King, The Evergreen State College
    
|