Research methods for public administrators

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Bibliographic Information

Research methods for public administrators

Elizabethann O'Sullivan ... [et al.]

Routledge, 2017

6th ed

  • : pbk

Available at  / 1 libraries

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FIrst ed.: Longman, 1989

Previous ed.: Pearson Education, 2008

Includes bibliographical references and index

Description and Table of Contents

Description

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

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