Research Methods for Public Administrators

by Johnson, Gail

• ISBN13: 9780765623126
• ISBN10: 0765623129
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-12-31
• Publisher: M E Sharpe Inc

Summary

Designed for beginning MPA students and practitioners, this highly practical text focuses on the interpretation and use of research findings, not just number-crunching. It covers the entire research process, from initial questions to final report, in clear, jargon-free language, and includes numerous examples and exercises that provide opportunities for concrete applications of the concepts.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations

Preface and Acknowledgments

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

Basic 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

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

Measurement

Overview

Defining Key Terms

Conceptual Definitions

Operational Definitions

Setting Boundaries

Valid and Reliable Measures

Validity

Reliability

Why Measurement Matters

Conclusion

Exercises

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

Other Research Approaches

Overview

Secondary Analysis of Data

Evaluation Synthesis (Meta-Analysis)

Content Analysis

Survey Research

Case Studies

Cost-Benefit Analysis

Conclusion

Exercises

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

Data Collection II: Interviews and Focus Groups

Overview

General Guidelines about Choosing the Appropriate Method

Encouraging Participation

In-Person Interviews

Focus Groups

Conclusion

Exercises

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

Sampling Demystified

Overview

Sampling: The Jargon

Samples: Random and Non-Random

Non-Random Samples: The Options

Random Samples: The Options

Simple Random Sample

Systematic Random Sampling

Stratified Random Sample

Disproportional Stratified Sample

Cluster Sample

Determining Sample Size

Non-Sampling Errors

Conclusion

Exercises

Data Analysis: Qualitative

Overview

Analyzing Qualitative Data

Identifying Themes and Quotes

Working with Qualitative Data

Conclusion

Exercises

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

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

Regression Analysis

Overview

Bivariate Regression: Key Elements

Using Bivariate Regression Analysis: Sunshine and Tourists

Multiple Regression: Key Elements

Interpreting Multiple Regression Results: What Explains Tourism?

Beta Weights: Relative Predictive Strength

Regression in the News

Why Did the Violent Crime Rate Drop after 1991?

Conclusion

Exercises

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

Communicating Research Results

Overview

Effectively Reporting Results

Reporting Data

General Guide for Communicating Research Results

Guide for Writing an Executive Summary

Length

Headings

Basic Components of an Executive Summary

Guide for Writing a Formal Report

Introduction

Background

Methodology

Findings

Conclusions/Recommendations

Guide for Using Charts and Tables to Tell the Story

Conclusion

Exercises

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

Appendices

Formulae

Statistics as a Second Language

References and Resources

Logic Model Template

Design Matrix

Index

About the Author

Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.