This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Brower, R. S. Articles by Carr, J. B. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

On Improving Qualitative Methods in Public Administration Research

Florida State University

Mitchel Y. Abolafia

State University of New York at Albany

Jered B. Carr

College of Charleston

What do exemplary qualitative accounts look like, and how do they convince readers of their correctness? What sort of standards can be used to assess qualitative research accounts for public administration? To address these questions, the authors examined 72 recent qualitative research journal articles. Proceeding from a set of preliminary guidelines, they worked iteratively between articles and the emergent template to produce refined guidelines. In addition, they identified specific types of dilemmas for public bureaucracies and policies that trigger researchers’ strategies for persuading readers that their qualitative accounts are credible. They conclude with four actionable recommendations for improving the field’s qualitative research.

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R. Freeman Epistemological Bricolage: How Practitioners Make Sense of Learning Administration Society, July 1, 2007; 39(4): 476 - 496. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. B. Thatcher, R. S. Brower, and R. M. Mason Organizational Fields and the Diffusion of Information Technologies Within and Across the Nonprofit and Public Sectors: A Preliminary Theory The American Review of Public Administration, December 1, 2006; 36(4): 437 - 454. [Abstract] [PDF]

				B. E. Wright, L. J. Manigault, and T. R. Black Quantitative Research Measurement in Public Administration: An Assessment of Journal Publications Administration Society, January 1, 2004; 35(6): 747 - 764. [Abstract] [PDF]