SYLLABUS
Code: (See Advisor for Permission to Enroll)
Day & Time: To be arranged -
Instructor: Dr. Daniel M. Barber, Professor Graduate Center for Public Policy & Administration
Office Hours: By appointment: Phone: (562) 985-5247 Office: SPA-133
EMail: dmbarber@csulb.edu
Purpose:
The Directed Research Project provides the student with a meaningful capstone research experience as part of his or her professional preparation. It requires that the student formulate, conduct and analyze a research topic or issue of significance to the field of public policy and administration.
The requirements of the course in Directed Research are visualized as a supervised experience in the application of theory and analytical tools to administrative processes and policy formulations in the public sector, reflecting a capacity to perceive the nature and ramifications of selected issues that confront the public administrator.
The topic selected for the research study may be directly related to the field of public policy and administration and to the career interests, needs and objectives of the student as an administrative generalist, a specialist in administrative skills or an administrator of a specific functional area. The Directed Research Project should provide an action research experience that is directly applicable and usable to an examination of administrative processes or policy analysis in public agencies. A student must be advanced to candidacy and have completed all core courses prior to enrolling in PPA 697.
Schedule:
A. During the first three weeks of the semester, the student should meet with the instructor and submit a Directed Research Prospectus. The Directed Research Prospectus should define the research focus as follows:
1. The general field(s) of research 2. The exact area of research 3. The precise questions to be addressed 4. The hypothesis or research question to be examined 5. The methodology to be used in conducting the research of information
B. The Directed Research Prospectus must be reviewed and approved before proceeding to the following steps.
C. Prior to the ninth week of the semester, the student submits a working draft of the Research Project.
D. Prior to the end of the last week of the semester, an original and one copy ofthe final Directed Research should be submitted, generally double-spaced and 40-60 pages. The original will be placed on file in the Center office and a marked copy returned to the student. (Please provide a self-addressed stamped envelope if you can not pick your paper up in person.)
The above schedule of steps is based on the assumption that the student will complete the Directed Research project during one semester.
1. Most students expect to complete the project within one semester, and he/she should enroll in the full three course units at the beginning of the semester, and follow the schedule outlined above. 2. If the student has enrolled in a total of three course units in PPA 697 and has completed all elective courses for the degree, but still requires additional time to complete the project, enrollment in XGS-700 may be utilized (Student Handbook). Part IV). Students are expected to demonstrate "Satisfactory Progress" during the course of each semester in which they are enrolled in PPA 697. The student should consult with me at the beginning of the semester and reach a clear understanding of the extent of work which is expected to be completed and/or submitted in order to earn the grade designation of "Satisfactory Progress (SP)". If the project is partially finished the student may earn the "SP" Satisfactory Progress grade.
Format of the Directed Research Report:
The following guidelines apply to the style of presentation for the final Dircted Research Report:
1. Text should be 40-60 pages in length 2. Text should be typed and double-spaced 3. Choose a style guide such as Turabian, APA, or The Chicago Manual of Style. 4. The front pieces of the Report often include:
a. a title page b. acknowledgments c. a table of contents d. a list of tables (if appropriate) e. a list of illustrations (if appropriate)
5. The body of the Report should include:
a. an introduction b. chapters c. summary
6. The reference matter and end pieces often include:
a. appendices (if appropriate) b. a bibliography c. notes (if appropriate) d. sample documents, questionnaires, etc.
7. The text of the final Report must be fully footnoted, as appropriate, i.e., all statements and authorities - regardingfacts, opinions and quotations must be footnoted and acknowledged. Footnotes and notes may also be employed for comments.
Campus Regulations and Center Policy on Cheating and Plagiarism:
The Center calls your attention to the University General Regulations and Procedures as stated in the current CSULB Catalog.
These regulations apply to the Graduate Center for Public Policy and Administration. Cases of cheating and plagiarism are subject to change of grade and administrative sanctions.
A major potential for University sanctions and change of grade occurs in the preparation of research and term papers. Center policy does not permit the submission of required research term papers in more then one class. Further, research or term papers must be based on original research, and may not be reproductions, in whole or in part, of work completed by others.
Reference Material:
Beyond the materials you have from your PPA 670 and 696 courses, you may wish to acquire the following:
Stephen Isaac and William B. Michael, Handbook in Research and Evaluation, 2nd edition. Edit Publishing Company. (San Diego). 1985.
Model Proposal and Prospectus Outline*
Instructor: Dr. Daniel M. Barber
I. INTRODUCTION
Brief statement of research problem, objectives, significance of the problem, methodology and anticipated findings.
II. BACKGROUND
Statement of the theoretical (survey of literature) perspectives relating previous work to the present research effort. Further definition of the significance and purpose of the investigation.
III. RESEARCH PROBLEM AND METHODS
- Statement of the problem - Definition of the sub-problems - Statement of the hypothesis(es) - Identification of the sample population - Delimitation of the problem - Definition of terms - Definition of assumptions - Time and cost projections
METHODS
- Research design - overview of methodology - Sampling methods to be employed defining universe, and sampling rationale - Operationalization of variables - Proposed data gathering methods with examples if possible - Proposed analysis methods
IV. DATA PRESENTATION
- A summary of report including: - Anticipated tables, graphs, displays, etc. - A general statement of what you expect to find as a result of your research.
V. CONCLUSIONS, OBSERVATIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS
- Conclusions - Observations - Recommendations
VI. APPENDIX
- Bibliography - Sample letters, forms - Other material
*Your Prospectus/Proposal may not necessarily use all elements listed above.