TESC MPA Program

TESC MPA PROGRAM – SECOND YEAR CORE

ANALYTICAL METHODS FOR PUBLIC SERVICE

Spring 2004

Thursday, 6- 10:00 p.m.

Seminar 2: E 1105

Email Phone Office Office hours

Gail Johnson johnsong@evergreen.edu 867-6739 Lab I, 2005 T,W, Th 3-5,

or by appt.

Cheryl Simrell King kingcs@evergreen.edu 867-5541 Lab I, 2008 Th, 4-6 pm

or by appt.

Gail's homepage: http://academic.evergreen.edu/j/johnsong/index.htm

PROGRAM GOALS

The goals of this year-long program are to enable students to gain skills in public administration research, as well as an introductory knowledge of analytical techniques appropriate in public service. This quarter we will emphasize qualitative research methods and strategies for analyzing qualitative data.

Our specific learning goals for the quarter are for students to:

Gain an understanding and appreciation of qualitative methodologies (including: focus groups, interviews, case studies, and observations).
Develop skills in conducting qualitative research through hands-on data collection.
Develop and practice skills in qualitative analysis, data interpretation, communication, and presentation.
Understand the strengths and weaknesses of the application of qualitative methods in public and non-profit organizations.

BOOK LIST

McNabb (from other quarters)

Cohen, David (2001). Chasing the Red, White, and Blue: A Journey in Tocqueville's Footsteps Through Contemporary America. Picador USA. 0-312-30249-5

Emerson, Robert M., Rachel I. Fretz, and Linda L. Shaw (1995) Writing Ethnographic Fieldnotes. University of Chicago Press. 0-226-20681-5

Krueger, Richard A. & Mary Anne Casey (2000). Focus Groups: A Practical Guide for Applied Research (3rd edition). Sage Publications. ISBN: 0761920714.

Waterson, Alisse (1999). Love, Sorrow, and Rage: Destitute Women in a Manhattan Residence. Temple University Press. ISBN: 1566397073.

Yin, Robert (2002) Case Study Research : Design and Methods (3rd edition). Sage Publications. ISBN: 0761925538.

ASSIGNMENTS

Field Journal

Output: journal (in whatever form you wish – the point is to make regular entries) submitted to seminar leader Week 10.

Keep a field journal throughout the quarter, using it to make notes that are important and relevant to your qualitative fieldwork. How you keep your journal is up to you. Submit it to your seminar leader at the end of the quarter (for review).

GAO Report Analysis

Output: 1-2 page summary of analysis, posted to WebX Week 6 (5/6)

Choose one of the group of suggested GAO reports (links posted on WebX) on a topic of interest. Analyze its structure, what works, what does not. Write a short (1-2) page summary of your analysis. Post it to WebX.

Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis

Outputs:

Data collection strategy and guidelines due to faculty Week 3 (4/15)

Data collected no later than Week 6 (5/6)

Preliminary data analysis due to faculty Week 7 (5/13)

As indicated throughout the year, you will be required to collect some qualitative data this quarter to support the research you’ve been pursuing all year.

You can collect your qualitative data in any number of ways; we recommend doing some interviews (more than one) or a focus group or two. Focus groups are highly recommended because having experience doing groups is important.

Prior to performing your qualitative data collection, you will submit to your seminar leader (no later than Week 3 – 4/14) a short summary of:

Research question and short (paragraph or two) explanation of your topic (including "so what" question);
Your strategy for collecting qualitative data; and,
A draft of interview or focus group guidelines (or other data collection tool, if you plan to use another method).

You will also analyze your data, probably using a form of content analysis (reviewed in class Week 5, 4/29).

Your preliminary data analysis will be submitted to your seminar leader for review Week 7 (5/13)

Final Report

Outputs:

First draft of report due Week 8 (5/20). Post to WebX

Peer review due Week 9 (5/27). Post to WebX

Final report due Week 10 (6/3). Post to WebX and a paper copy to faculty.

You will write a final report that reflects your research for the year. It will blend (triangulate) your quantitative and qualitative data. Your report will be written for the general public (not an academic audience unless you really want to—negotiate with your seminar leader). This means it should be clear, simple, and complete with sufficient information to be convincing. It should include a 1-2 page executive summary. You should use appropriate graphics to illustrate your major findings and conclusions. The detailed technical information about your methodology goes in an appendix. Look at any GAO report as a model (www.gao.gov).

You will prepare a first draft for review, peer-review a colleague’s report, and prepare a final version of your report.

Final Poster Session.

Prepare a poster that expresses (find the middle way between creativity and professionalism) the findings of your research. Bring the poster to class Week 10.

CREDIT

Students will receive 4 graduate credits, as part of this year-long, 12 hour program, based upon satisfactory and on-time completion of all course requirements and assignments. Credit denial decisions will be made by the faculty team. No partial credit will be awarded. Plagiarism, failing to complete one or more assignments, completing one or more assignments late (without having made special arrangements in advance of the due date) or two non-excused absences, may constitute automatic denial of credit. Evaluations will take place at the end of the quarter. Students will meet with their seminar leaders and bring their self-evaluation to that meeting. Faculty evaluations are also required but you have the option of submitting your faculty evaluation to the program secretary.

SCHEDULE

DATe	Topic/Activities	readings	due
Week 1 4/1	Topic: Introduction to Qualitative Techniques; Ethnography	McNabb – re-read Part 5 Emerson, Fretz and Shaw: Chapters 1-4
Week 2 4/8	Topic: Case Studies	Yin (all)	DUE: Family Ethnography Homework Assignment
Week 3 4/15	Topic: Focus Groups	Krueger (all)	DUE: Qualitative Data Collection Strategy and Guidelines to Faculty
Week 4 4/22	Topic: Ethnography in Action	Waterson, (all)
Week 5 4/29	Topic: Analysis and Interpretation - Content Analysis	Emerson, Fretz and Shaw: Chapters 5-8 McNabb – Part 6 Relevant chapters in Kreuger and Yin
Week 6 5/6	Topic: Qualitative Techniques in Action	Cohen (all)	DUE: GAO Report Analysis.
Week 7 5/13	Topic: Analysis and Interpretation – Triangulating Data Sources Topic: Documentaries		DUE: First Draft of Qualitative Data Analysis (to faculty for review)
Week 8 5/20	Topic: Qualitative Techniques in Action	Handout: How the Poor would Remedy Poverty	DUE: First Draft of Final Report
Week 9 5/27	Topic: Major Issues Revisited Ethics; Race, Gender and Class; Methodologies	McNabb – Chapter 3	DUE: Peer Reviews of Drafts of Reports
Week 10 6/3	Final Poster Session; Celebratory Potluck		DUE: Final Report/Poster
6/7- 6/10	EVALUATION CONFERENCES

Our Agreements

We show up to all classes on time.

We are prepared, listen, and share our views.

What is said in this room, stays in this room.

We respect others.

We disagree with ideas, not people.

We do no harm as we engage in the learning process.

We are honest.

We do our best work.

We turn work in on time.

We actively and enthusiastically engage in learning.

We invest in ourselves.

We create a safe place.

We have fun.