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Fourth Class- Literature review
CSUN FALL 2018
Research
Public Administration research
methods
Pitfalls of casual inquiry
Pitfalls of casual inquiry
(first impressions, incomplete, partial, not thorough)
1- Inaccurate observation:
infering the caracteristics of an individual on a group: "all men..."
2- Overgeneralization:
Trying to prove preexisting ideas/stereotypes Projection.
3- Selective observations
4- Illogical reasoning
"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. "
Source: Dantzker, Hunter and Quinn, 2018, pp.5-6
Beginning basics
Qualitative and quantitative
Quantitative research refers to counting and measuring items associated with the phenomena in question. (Explanatory or descriptive purposes)
whereas qualitative research focuses on "the meanings, concepts, definitions, characteristics, metaphors, symbols and descriptions of things (exploratory or descriptive purposes)
Mixed-methods research is associated with problemistic research and program evaluation
(Danzker and Hunter 2000,p. 88, with reference to Berg 1998, p.3)
Critiquing the literature
It is through a critique of the existing data and studies (literature review) that you will position your new project and justify its scientific pertinence.
Research scope:
What is the realm of your analysis?
Differentiate the questions you will be able to answer from the ones you won't.
Where does your research ends?
Tip: Do not undertake a 4 years, 7 questions research study with 20 different variables.
Research question
Narrow down your topic to one specific problem. the researcher must do is decide what it is she wants to study and why. Is is the why that helps form the research question.
The question
- Should allow others to gain a clear understanding of why the research was conducted.
- A well-worded research question should give some indication of the outcomes one might expect at the conclusion of the research
After establishing it, the researcher must explain waht specifically is going to be studied and the expected results. This is usually accomplished through statements or propositions called "Hypotheses".
(Dantzker 2000, 50)
Dimensions, variables, indicators
Your literature review will enable you to identify approaches (qualitative, quantitative or mixed-methods) and dimensions (sub-topics) used in past research.
You will break down the dimensions into variables, and break down variables into indicators in order to "operationalize" your research question.
You study's design with be determined by this process of selecting dimensions and variables.
Hypotheses
Tentative answers to the specific question are hypotheses. There can be one or several, depending on the scope or your research.
The hypotheses are specific. They
propose relationships between variables.
Notice the differences that exist between:
Dimensions - variable - indicators
What type of data can I use
during 698S?
Primary data collection : IRB protocol submission required
Secondary data (public data, collected by individuals or institutions, readily available)
- Case study
Comparing and contrasting the conclusions or data used in current/existing studies:
- Evidence review.
Example of a data extraction matrix (template)
Operationalization
Describing how a concept is measured
Conversion of tha abstract idea or notion into a measurable item.
Making observable something conceptual.
Going from abstract to concrete.
- Danzker 2000)
Concept -> Dimension -> Variable - > Item
Variables
"A variable is a characteristic of a unit of analysis that is not constant but instead varies across individual observed cases " (Eller et al, 2013, p. 45)
- Narrow down dimensions about your general topic that you wish to study further.
- Pick specific variables about your research topic and uncover in the literature questions pertaining to these specific elements.
Hypothesis
Hypothesis is a "if-then" statements
a good hypothesis is declarative, based on a theory or an idea worth testing
(note that the scientific pertinence of your topic and research question was established in your literature review).
Moreover, it is set out to test an outcome, not to prove it.
Good hypotheses use variables that are possible to measure
Once you have a conceptual hypothesis, you may select the population you wish to test your hypothesis on.
Hypothesis
A tentative proposition which is subject to verification through subsequent investigation.
Make statements about relation between variables and provide a guide to the researcher.
Hunches that the researcher has about the existence of relationship between variables
Depicts and describes the method to be followed in studying the problem.
Steps in the research process
Choose Topic
1.
2.
Specific research question
7.
Inform
Others
Steps in the research process
3.
Design study
6.
Interpret
Data
5.
4.
Collect Data
Analyze
Data
Specific research question
STEP 1 : Chose your topic
STEP 2 : focus reseach question
You must, at this point, narrow down your topic.
The past research you have reviewed is the starting point from which you will elaborate your specific research question. You also develop possible answers, or hypothesis
STEP 3: Design your study
After you have selected your research question, you must now plan how you will carry out the specific study or research project.
STEP 4: Define your methodology
There are many practical details of doing research. (e.g., what type of documents will be analyzed, and how?
Neuman & Wiegand 2000, p.11)
Decisions at this point are crucial:
Decisions at this point are crucial:
1. Decide on the topic: use existing essays and projects you have done about it to narrow your project down to a concrete, specific objective, which is reflected in your specific question (purpose statement)
2. Decide on the question, subquestions and research hypothesis that specifies a relationship between two variables (not dimensions).
3. Decide on the design: case study, analysis of current evidence, official statistics, existing rules and policy, etc.
4. Decide on the instruments: case/content analysis, and measurements scales, analytical procedures: how will your data answer your question?
The project proposal
Project proposal: detailed requirements
1. Introduction:
A description of the chosen topic and its pertinence
2. Literature review: 20 peer-reviewed references minumim
For more details about how to write a literature review, follow this link :http://www.duluth.umn.edu/~hrallis/guides/researching/litreview.html
Project proposal: detailed requirements
3. Research question and research aim (prospective contributions)
4. Background: description of the chosen research setting
5. Research design (methodology)
strategies
tools
You can refer to the following book:
Research Methods for Evidence-Based Public Management
by Warren Eller, Brian J. Gerber, Scott E. Robinson
In other words, what will you do with the data that will enable you to provide a reliable answer to your research questions?
Interpretation of data.
Once you will have collected and analyzed the data with the procedures you have laid out in your research proposal, there is still another step you will take:
The interpretation means that you must take the time to assess the meaning of your data, the extent to which your hypotheses are verified or contradicted, and look for other possible explanations/dimensions of influence that may have affected the observed outcomes. You always stay reflective, and transform facts to validated knowledge with caution.
Your MPA 620 Class prepares you for MPA 698S...
Students will develop a project and manuscript that could be submitted as a conference paper, journal article, or academic writing sample.
MPA 698
The Capstone Project offers each student the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of the theory and practice of public administration by applying the knowledge and skills gained in the MPA program to a project of the student’s choice.
This involves completing a project report reflecting the cumulative knowledge gained from these experiences.
Students will complete their project under the supervision of a Graduate Project Committee, consisting of their course instructor and two additional faculty advisors. Students are required to consult with the instructor and advisors on a regular basis.
The project proposal
Using data bases
Three data bases
Google scholar:
One Search
JSTOR