Research Introduction

Research In Public Administration
Session 1- Introduction

Session 1. Introduction (Bulgarian Version)
Power Point Slide Show: The Green Line

An Invitation:

This class will examine how researchers in the United States identify problems, develop and implement research plans, analyze data and draw conclusions.

New Bulgarian University faculty members are welcome to use these web sources for their research and classes. NBU administrators and the CSU team have arranged for 3 research seminars. The readings for these seminars are included on this web site.

To the best of my ability the information will be presented in English and Bulgarian. My Bulgarian is very limited. I hope the information is useful and that you will join me in Spring 2003 to discuss research methods in public administration. I look forward to meeting you and discussing your research interests.

Sincerely,

Sandra M. Emerson

Sessions
First 1a	Definitions Why do research? What is research behavior? - Research and Program Evaluation What are the ethical constraints?
1b	What is a scientific knowledge base? What is a research plan or design? What are threats to research designs? What does "cause" mean?
1c	How do variables become observable? What problems do researchers have with the rules of science? What are the challenges in understanding how to do research? Attribute v. variable Norm for many is not behavior of anyone specific Science relies on observation and measurement Conceptual v. Operational
Second 2a.	Research Methods Assumptions Questionnaires and surveys
2b.	Field observations
2c.	Records, documents, narratives and content analysis Writing about methodology .
Third 3a	Analysis Assumptions of Statistics Measuring and describing
3b	Measuring and inferring
3c	Measuring and predicting Writing About Analysis Writing About Conclusions
Additional Notes	Qualitative Research
	Management

Reading Materials for First Session- English web page version; English Word version
Reading Materials for First Session -Bulgarian web page version; Bulgarian Word version

[Please read attached materials prior to attending the sessions, Thank you]

Discussion Exercise

Sally Simple works at a local elementary school that has implemented a new reading program that requires 100 additional hours of language exercises each academic year for all grade levels. A recent study by educational psychologists indicated that language exercises encouraged students to read more books and helped them remember what they read.

Sally randomly samples 200 teachers and parents. She asks, "Is the new language program improving the reading skills of your children?" The survey responses were:

80% Yes
03% No
17% Don't know

Sally reports that the new program is improving the skills of children at her school.

Questions:

1. Has Sally defined the problem?

2. Does Sally know what to study regarding the new program and how to study it?

3. Is Sally's behavior ethical?

4. In what ways has Sally contributed and/or failed to contribute to our understanding?

5. What research design has Sally used?

6. Are there alternative plausible explanations for the perception by 80% of those surveyed that said the new language program improved the reading skills of their children?

7. Did the new language program cause a change in reading skills?

8. What does Sally actually know based on her study?

Literature Review	Reasons and getting started. From the library at Loyola University in Chicago Examining the role of the literature review in research. From the University of Buffalo in New York A comprehensive approach to literature reviews from the University in Melborne.
Wise Use of the Internet	Evaluating information on the web. See Internet checklist.
Examples in the field	Health Services and Social Work