Suggested Applied Research Project Organization
PoliticalScience
5397
Applied Research Project
Patricia M. Shields
Key Information
Every chapter (except chapter one) must includea statement of the purpose of the chapter. Also every chapter must discuss how the chaptercontributes to the overall purpose of the Applied Research Project. Thechapter purpose statement generally occurs in the first three paragraphs.
The paper will include many tables. All tables(and figures) must be numbered and titled. Numbers correspond to the chapternumber and order of the table in the chapter. For example the third tablein chapter two would be numbered Table 2.3.
All tables must be referred to in the text andbe (at least briefly) discussed.
Use lots of subheadings!!
ARP Organization
Chapter I Introduction This chapter introduces the topic in broad terms.
The justification or reason for the researchquestion
is developed. The discussion demonstrates why the research questionis
compelling. Directly or indirectly the chapter makes the link to publicadministration.This chapter can be journalistic and
reference newspaper, magazine or
A statement of the ARP research question or problemmustbe included. A brief introduction to future chapters is also presented.
Chapter II Literature Review This chapterreviews the literature relevant to your research question. The chaptershould incorporate any changes to the POSI 5335 paper that Dr. Shieldssuggests. Generally this chapter includes the discussion of the conceptualframework. Note: not all ARPs have literature reviewchapters. Students usually discuss different chapter titles withDr. Shields after she has reviewed the POSI 5335 Literature Review.
Chapter III Setting This chapter can takemany forms depending on the nature of the research problem. Also in about20% of the ARPs the setting chapter is the second chapter.
The setting can be titled "Legal Setting." Inthese instances the laws that underlie the policy or management issue associatedwith your research question is developed.
The setting can be titled "Institutional Setting."In these instances the institution (agency) that is the focus of the analysisis discussed/described. For example, if the study involves a sample ofAustin Firefighters the setting chapter should examine the Austin FireDepartment with special emphasis on the structure of the department andthe kinds of duties required of firefighters. The setting enables the readerto have a good sense of the respondents that fill out the questionnaire.
Institutional setting chapters also make sensewhen a field study is conducted. In this case the
agency or the organizationis the unit of analysis.
The purpose of the chapter is to acquaint thereader
with the purpose, history and function of the agency or organization.
Occasionally, students have historical setting chapters.
Sometimes a setting chapter is unnecessary.
Chapter IV Methodology Go to the prospectuslink on this web page and review the methodology section. Make sure thatthis chapter answers all the relevant questions. Be sureand include a table that operationalizes the conceptual framework. Note,be sure and make it clear that the data collection instrument (survey,coding sheet, interviews) was constructed using the conceptual framework.This practice adds additional validity instrument because the frameworkis connected to the literature in a systematic fashion.
Sometimes sutdents develop a Conceptual Frameworkand Methodology chapter. In this case the conceptual framework is introduced,and described/defended in a narrative. A Table is developed that linksthe conceptual framework both to the literature and to the mode of datacollection (content analysis coding sheet, questionnaire, interviews, documentsetc.) The next section discusses and defends the Methodology and shouldinclude all the information discussed above.
Chapter V Results The results chapter shouldanalyze the empirical findings. See Tips for Writing the Results Chapteron the home page.
Chapter VI Conclusion This chapter summarizesthe paper. It should also include a restatement of the research questionand discuss how your findings address (answer) the question. Recommendationsfor future research are often included.
When Working Hypotheses or Hypothesesare used as conceptual frameworks there should be a summary table thataddresses big picture questions -- how well did the evidence support thehypothesis?
When a Practical Ideal Type is
used thereshould be a table that shows how close the
organization(s) are to the 'practicalideal.' Using this evidence, make recommendations for improvement. Therecommendations should also be summarized in the table.
Texas State University-San Marcos is a
member of the Texas State University System.
Revision 10/13/2006