Additional information
by Mitchell Brown (Author), Kathleen Hale (Author)
A complete guide to applied research, featuring original data and detailed case studies
Applied Research Methods in Public and Nonprofit Organizations takes an integrative approach to applied research, emphasizing design, data collection, and analysis. Common case studies across chapters illustrate the everyday nature of research, and practical exercises reinforce concepts across all sections of the text. The book includes forms and formats for data collection and analysis, plus writing excerpts that demonstrate results reporting and presentation. The accompanying instructor's guide features assignments, discussion questions, and exercises referenced in the book, and the authors' own data sets are available for use online.
Conducting research, analyzing results, and synthesizing the findings for key stakeholders is fundamental to the study and practice of public and nonprofit management. Aligned with management curriculum for both sectors, the book focuses on the common ground these organizations share when it comes to planning, conducting, and using research in day-to-day professional activities. The original research examples presented are in the context of this shared commonality, including resource acquisition, evaluative processes, and future planning through the lens of common social policy issues facing leaders today. Topics include:
- The research process and applied research designs
- Applied research questions and literature
- Data collection in the field and survey research
- Data analysis, writing, and presentation
The examples highlight intergovernmental institutions in which public service occurs, and provide expanded reach to nonprofit organizations and the networked collaborations that make up a significant portion of today's public service. For students and practitioners of public administration, public policy, and nonprofit management, Applied Research Methods in Public and Nonprofit Organizations provides a comprehensive reference to this critical skillset.
Back Jacket
Praise for Applied Research Methods in Public and Nonprofit Organizations
"Brown and Hale present a comprehensive guide for students and practitioners interested in how to understand and measure processes and outcomes commonplace in public administration, nonprofit management, and community governance. Utilizing case studies relevant to the disciplines, they articulate the complex and nuanced environment in which applied research takes place and clearly identify the points at which decisions need to be made to ensure the best possible research results."
--Cameron Thies, Professor and Director of the School of Politics and Global Studies, Arizona State University; Editor of Political Science Research and Methods
"This is an excellent book that offers a fresh look at conducting research about public sector problems, highlighting relationships between stages of the research process, the iterative nature of research, and engaging with communities in problem-solving. I highly recommend the book to instructors working with upper division undergraduate or graduate students of nonprofit management, public administration, public policy, urban affairs, or other fields where applied research is used."
--Lisa Dicke, Professor of Public Administration, University of North Texas
"This book offers a very accessible approach for engaging students in field research and the study of public problems using real-world examples and practical exercises in data collection, research problem-solving, analysis, and writing about results for multiple audiences."
--Heather Carpenter, Assistant Professor of Nonprofit Management, School of Public, Nonprofit and Health Administration, Grand Valley State University
"Brown and Hale's case-orientated approach to research methods is ideal for students of public and nonprofit administration at the undergraduate or graduate level. By avoiding overly technical explanations, the authors provide a practical approach that will not be intimidating to even the most novice of researchers. The authors employ their depths of experience in conducting 'pracademic' research to clearly demonstrate the utility of the methods as they are being taught. The additional resources provided, in particular the linked assignments that connect the material from every chapter, are well-thought and ready to integrate into the classroom."
--Shane Nordyke, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of South Dakota
Author Biography
MITCHELL BROWN, PHD, is Associate Professor at Auburn University, Department of Political Science. Brown is Co-Director (with Kathleen Hale) of the Community Governance Research Project.
KATHLEEN HALE, J.D., PHD, is Associate Professor and M.P.A. Director at Auburn University, Department of Political Science. Hale is author of How Information Matters: Networks and Public Policy Innovation.
