Research Methods for Public Administrators introduces students to the methodological tools public administrators and policy analysts use to conduct research in the twenty-first century. Full of engaging examples and step-by-step instructions to illustrate common research methods and techniques, this book provides future administrators with an unshakeable foundation in model building, research design, and statistical applications.
New to the Sixth Edition:
- Sections addressing recent developments in research methods, such as Big Data and Exploratory Data Analysis
- Expanded coverage of digital media, including internet surveys and survey data collection by tablet computers
- Greater focus on qualitative research methods and their strengths and weaknesses relative to quantitative methods
- Updated study items, knowledge questions, homework exercises, and problem assignments for each chapter
Table of Contents:
Contents
Preface to the Sixth Edition
Acknowledgements
Chapter 1: Beginning a Research Project
Starting a Research Project
Using Models to Organize the Research Study
Building the Model
Types of Models
Limitations of Models and Model Building for Specific Users
The Components of Models
Selecting a Research Question
Notes
Terms for Review
Questions for Review
Problems for Homework and Discussion
Recommended for Further Reading
Chapter 2: Design for Description
Research Methodology
Types of Studies
Designs to Find Relationships and Show Trends
Meta-Analysis
Qualitative Research and Designs to Fill in the Details
Focus Groups
Notes
Terms for Review
Problems for Homework and Discussion
Recommended for Further Reading
Chapter 3: Designs for Explanation
Establishing Causal Relationships
Internal and External Validity
Experimental Designs
Quasi-Experimental Designs
Nonexperimental Designs
Determining Causality with Cross-Sectional Studies
Notes
Terms for Review
Questions for Review
Problems for Homework and Discussion
Working With Data
Recommended for Further Reading
Chapter 4: Measuring Variables
Beginning the Measurement Process
Measurement and Measurement Scales
Reliability
Operational Validity
Sensitivity
Summary
Notes
Terms for Review
Questions for Review
Problems for Homework and Discussion
Working with Data
Recommended for Further Reading
Chapter 5: Sampling
Probability Sampling Designs
Nonprobability Sampling Designs
Sample Size
Notes
Terms for Review
Questions for Review
Problems for Homework and Discussion
Working with Data
Recommended for Further Reading
Chapter 6: Contacting and Talking to Subjects
Survey Research
Contacting Subjects
Planning for a Survey
Mailed Questionnaires
Internet Surveys
Telephone Surveys
In-Person Interviewing
The Five Major Phases of a Focus Group Study
Using Social Media
Selecting a Method of Data Collection
Notes
Terms for Review
Questions for Review
Problems for Homework and Discussion
Working with Data
Recommended for Further Reading
Chapter 7: Collecting Data with Questions and Questionnaires
Questionnaire and Question Content
Questionnaire Structure
Question and Response Wording
Questionnaire Design
Summary
Notes
Terms for Review
Questions for Review
Problems for Homework and Discussion
Working with Data
Recommended for Further Reading
Chapter 8: Protection of Human Research Subjects and Other Ethical Issues
Illustrative Cases
Principles of Ethical Treatment of Human Subjects
Protecting Privacy and Confidentiality
Federal Policy on Protection of Human Subjects and Institutional Review Boards
Issues of Interest to Administrators
Summary
Notes
Terms for Review
Questions for Review
Problems for Homework and Discussion
Working With Data
Recommended for Further Reading
Chapter 9: Finding and Analyzing Existing Data
Working with Secondary Data
U.S. Census Data
Using Census Data
Vital Statistics
Big Data
Summary
Notes
Terms for Review
Questions for Review
Problems for Homework and Discussion
Working with Data
Recommended for Further Reading
Chapter 10: Combing Indicators and Constructing Indices
Indices and Scales
Defining the Concept
Selecting the Items
Combining the Items in an Index
Working with Separate Items
Creating Standardized Indicators for Indices
Likert Scaling and Other Indices
Factor Analysis
Index Numbers
Notes
Terms for Review
Questions for Review
Problems for Homework and Discussion
Working with Data
Recommended for Further Reading
Chapter 11: Univariate Analysis
Computer Software for Data Management, Mapping, and Analysis
Analyzing and Presenting the Data
Visual Presentation of Data
Quantitative Measures
Characteristics of a Distribution
Finding Quartiles
Other Deviation Measures
Exploratory Data Analysis
Data Visualization
Summary
Notes
Terms for Review
Questions for Review
Problems for Homework and Discussion
Working with Data
Recommended for Further Reading
Chapter 12: Examining Relationships among Variables with Tests of Statistical Significance
Debate about Statistical Significance
Stating the Null Hypothesis
Selecting an Alpha Level
Selecting a Computing a Test Statistic
Making a Decision
Reporting Tests of Statistical Significance
Modifications and Alternatives to Tests of Statistical Significance
Calculating and Interpreting Chi-Square and T-Tests
Notes
Terms for Review
Questions for Review
Problems for Homework and Discussion
Working with Data
Recommended for Further Reading
Chapter 13: Examining Relationships Between and Among Variables
Constructing and Interpreting Contingency Tables
Selecting and Using Measures of Association
Measures of Association with Control Variables
Tests of Statistical Significance and Measures of Association
Comparison of Means and Analysis of Variance
Summary
Notes
Terms for Review
Questions for Review
Problem for Homework and Discussion
Working with Data
Recommended for Further Reading
Chapter 14: Regression Analysis and Correlation
Analyzing Relationships between Two Interval Variables
Multivariate Regression Analysis
Multicollinearity
Regression and Non-Interval Variables
Regression Models to Analyze Time-Series Data
Regression and Causality
Calculating Regression and Correlation Statistics
Summary
Notes
Terms for Review
Questions for Review
Problems for Homework and Discussion
Working With Data
Recommended for Further Reading
Chapter 15: Completing the Project and Communicating Findings
Variations in Audiences and their Needs
Components of the Quantitative Report
Oral Presentations of Research Findings
Poster Presentations
Digital, On-Line, and Social Media
Ethical Issues
Summary
Notes
Terms for Review
Questions for Review
Problems for Homework and Discussion
Working with Data
Recommended for Further Reading
Glossary
Index
About the Author :
Elizabethann O'Sullivan, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, passed away in 2014.
Gary Rassel is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Maureen Berner is Professor of Public Administration and Government in the School of Government at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Jocelyn DeVance Taliaferro is Associate Professor in the Department of Social Work at North Carolina State University.
