Description
Taylor and Francis Research Methods For Public Administrators 6Th Edn 2017 Edition by O'sullivan
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 methodsUpdated study items, knowledge questions, homework exercises, and problem assignments for each chapter ContentsPreface to the Sixth EditionAcknowledgementsChapter 1: Beginning a Research ProjectStarting a Research ProjectUsing Models to Organize the Research StudyBuilding the ModelTypes of ModelsLimitations of Models and Model Building for Specific UsersThe Components of ModelsSelecting a Research QuestionNotesTerms for ReviewQuestions for ReviewProblems for Homework and DiscussionRecommended for Further ReadingChapter 2: Design for DescriptionResearch MethodologyTypes of StudiesDesigns to Find Relationships and Show TrendsMeta-Analysis Qualitative Research and Designs to Fill in the DetailsFocus GroupsNotesTerms for ReviewProblems for Homework and DiscussionRecommended for Further ReadingChapter 3: Designs for Explanation Establishing Causal RelationshipsInternal and External ValidityExperimental DesignsQuasi-Experimental DesignsNonexperimental DesignsDetermining Causality with Cross-Sectional StudiesNotesTerms for ReviewQuestions for ReviewProblems for Homework and DiscussionWorking With DataRecommended for Further ReadingChapter 4: Measuring VariablesBeginning the Measurement ProcessMeasurement and Measurement ScalesReliabilityOperational ValiditySensitivitySummaryNotesTerms for ReviewQuestions for ReviewProblems for Homework and DiscussionWorking with DataRecommended for Further ReadingChapter 5: SamplingProbability Sampling DesignsNonprobability Sampling DesignsSample SizeNotesTerms for ReviewQuestions for ReviewProblems for Homework and DiscussionWorking with DataRecommended for Further ReadingChapter 6: Contacting and Talking to SubjectsSurvey ResearchContacting SubjectsPlanning for a SurveyMailed QuestionnairesInternet SurveysTelephone SurveysIn-Person InterviewingThe Five Major Phases of a Focus Group StudyUsing Social MediaSelecting a Method of Data CollectionNotesTerms for ReviewQuestions for ReviewProblems for Homework and DiscussionWorking with DataRecommended for Further ReadingChapter 7: Collecting Data with Questions and QuestionnairesQuestionnaire and Question ContentQuestionnaire StructureQuestion and Response WordingQuestionnaire DesignSummaryNotesTerms for ReviewQuestions for ReviewProblems for Homework and DiscussionWorking with DataRecommended for Further ReadingChapter 8: Protection of Human Research Subjects and Other Ethical IssuesIllustrative CasesPrinciples of Ethical Treatment of Human SubjectsProtecting Privacy and ConfidentialityFederal Policy on Protection of Human Subjects and Institutional Review BoardsIssues of Interest to AdministratorsSummaryNotesTerms for ReviewQuestions for ReviewProblems for Homework and DiscussionWorking With DataRecommended for Further ReadingChapter 9: Finding and Analyzing Existing DataWorking with Secondary DataU.S. Census DataUsing Census DataVital StatisticsBig DataSummary NotesTerms for ReviewQuestions for ReviewProblems for Homework and DiscussionWorking with DataRecommended for Further ReadingChapter 10: Combing Indicators and Constructing IndicesIndices and ScalesDefining the ConceptSelecting the ItemsCombining the Items in an IndexWorking with Separate ItemsCreating Standardized Indicators for IndicesLikert Scaling and Other IndicesFactor AnalysisIndex NumbersNotesTerms for ReviewQuestions for ReviewProblems for Homework and Discussion Working with DataRecommended for Further ReadingChapter 11: Univariate AnalysisComputer Software for Data Management, Mapping, and AnalysisAnalyzing and Presenting the DataVisual Presentation of DataQuantitative MeasuresCharacteristics of a DistributionFinding QuartilesOther Deviation MeasuresExploratory Data AnalysisData Visualization SummaryNotesTerms for ReviewQuestions for ReviewProblems for Homework and DiscussionWorking with DataRecommended for Further ReadingChapter 12: Examining Relationships among Variables with Tests of Statistical SignificanceDebate about Statistical SignificanceStating the Null HypothesisSelecting an Alpha LevelSelecting a Computing a Test StatisticMaking a DecisionReporting Tests of Statistical SignificanceModifications and Alternatives to Tests of Statistical SignificanceCalculating and Interpreting Chi-Square and T-TestsNotesTerms for ReviewQuestions for ReviewProblems for Homework and DiscussionWorking with DataRecommended for Further ReadingChapter 13: Examining Relationships Between and Among VariablesConstructing and Interpreting Contingency TablesSelecting and Using Measures of AssociationMeasures of Association with Control VariablesTests of Statistical Significance and Measures of AssociationComparison of Means and Analysis of VarianceSummaryNotesTerms for ReviewQuestions for ReviewProblem for Homework and DiscussionWorking with DataRecommended for Further ReadingChapter 14: Regression Analysis and CorrelationAnalyzing Relationships between Two Interval VariablesMultivariate Regression AnalysisMulticollinearityRegression and Non-Interval VariablesRegression Models to Analyze Time-Series DataRegression and CausalityCalculating Regression and Correlation StatisticsSummaryNotesTerms for ReviewQuestions for ReviewProblems for Homework and DiscussionWorking With DataRecommended for Further ReadingChapter 15: Completing the Project and Communicating FindingsVariations in Audiences and their NeedsComponents of the Quantitative ReportOral Presentations of Research FindingsPoster PresentationsDigital, On-Line, and Social MediaEthical IssuesSummaryNotesTerms for ReviewQuestions for ReviewProblems for Homework and DiscussionWorking with DataRecommended for Further ReadingGlossaryIndex