One article must be qualitative research, and
the other article must be quantitative research (analytical statistics).
Both articles must focus on a similar topic of interest to public
administration and/or public policy. For the quantitative article, you will
need an article that actually performs some type of statistical analysis based on
sampling from a target population, and it must include dependent and
independent variables. An article that uses solely descriptive statistics
(reporting of findings such as percentiles) will not be adequate for the
quantitative article. The project needs
to contain five separate sections. Each section should address the following
aspects of research. Label each section with the appropriate heading (Section
1, Section 2, etc.)
Section
1: Present
an overview of each article. In this section, you should identify the
theoretical basis for the research, and the hypothesis that each article
intends to support.
Section
2: In
this section you should address three central questions related to the direct
application of methods used within the articles. The first issue relates to a
discussion on the type of theoretical model used to conduct the research. Next
you should discuss the process of population sampling used, and the method by
which the sample was extracted for the studies. Finally, you should examine how
the researchers dealt with the questions of validity and reliability within the
studies.
Section
3: In
section three critically evaluate the underlying research hypothesis of each
article, and assess alternative methods of analysis and research design which
could have been applied to the research. In selecting these alternative
methods, you should also seek to examine what other possible findings might
have been uncovered within the research, and how these alternative findings
might have shed different light on the research that was conducted. This
section of the report will require that the student engage in both critical
thinking and reflection on the materials presented within the text and notes.
Ultimately, this section will evaluate the student’s mastery of the concepts of
research as presented within the course.
Section
4: Examine
and compare the differences between both quantitative and qualitative research
methods. Play the part of a “devil’s advocate” by arguing for the
opposite approach. Namely, if the article is quantitative in nature, then
switch the model to a qualitative format, and argue for the strength that such
an approach would have in revealing further aspects of research not obtained in
the original model. Then do the same for the other article, for instance a
qualitative approach. In essence, seek to clarify how a different approach adds
to our deeper understanding of the issue being researched, and what benefits
such an approach gives an individual public administrator seeking to address
this specific area of public policy.
Section
5: The
final section seeks to recognize that all social science research has a
somewhat subjective aspect based on underlying assumptions. Critique each
article on the basis of how the experimental model, and underlying assumptions,
might be challenged on methodological grounds by those groups or interest
opposing the views of the authors. Use the APA citation method.
Sample format:
Section
1:Your quantitative article
Your qualitative article
Section 2:
Your quantitative article
Your qualitative article
Section 3:
Your quantitative article
Your qualitative article
Section 4:
Your quantitative article
Your qualitative article Section
5:
Your quantitative article Your qualitative article
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