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A Content Analysis of Applied Research Projects Completed at Texas State University in the Master of Public Administration Program from 2010-2018

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A Content Analysis of Applied Research Projects Completed at Texas State University in the Master of Public Administration Program from 2010-2018 A Content Analysis of Applied Research Projects Completed at Texas State University in the Master of Public Administration Program from 2010-2018 By Nicole Foy Applied Research Project [email protected] An Applied Research Project Submitted to the Department of Political Science Texas State University In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the degree of Master of Public Administration Spring 2019 Patricia M. Shields, PhD Christopher Brown, PhD Colin Smith, MPA 1 ABSTRACT Purpose: This study first examines the background and history of the MPA program at Texas state. It then reviews literature on the major components of the program’s capstone process the Applied Research Project (ARP) Drawing on similar studies of ARP’s, Texas State ARPs from 2010-2018 are described. Methodology: This study utilizes content analysis to analyze 167 ARPs. Content analysis is the method of choice because it involves a direct and systematic examination of the documents. The five dimensions of the paper include Topics, level of government, research purpose, framework, and methods used. Findings: The findings of this study, when compared to previous research reveal similar Texas State Applied Research Projects (Stewart, Ilo, and Gute) there are common trends and minor differences. Some of the trending similarities are clear purposes, conceptual frameworks, similar use in topical categories and levels of government, and also similar research methods and statistical techniques. Compared to previous findings, page volume has increased. Findings are discussed in the results and conclusion chapters. 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................... 5 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 5-6 Research Purpose ....................................................................................................................................... 6 Chapter Summaries .................................................................................................................................... 7 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW ........................................................................................... 8 Chapter’s Purpose ...................................................................................................................................... 8 History and Background ........................................................................................................................ 8-9 Figure 2.1: Texas State Universities MPA Program Timeline .............................................. 10 NASPAA’s Site Visit......................................................................................................................... 11-12 New Tools for Student ARP’s .......................................................................................................... 12-13 Table 2.1: Research Purpose and Conceptual Framework Pairing ....................................... 13 Advancement in Literature ................................................................................................................ 13-17 Mission-Based Competency Standards ........................................................................................... 17-18 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................................. 19 CHAPTER 3: CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK ............................................................................ 19 Chapter’s Purpose .................................................................................................................................... 19 Framework Used to Describe ARPs ...................................................................................................... 19 Topical Categories ............................................................................................................................. 19-20 Table 3.1: Percent of Total for Topical Categories ................................................................ 21 Level of Government .............................................................................................................................. 21 Table 3.2: Percent of Total for Level of Government ............................................................ 21 Research Purposes ............................................................................................................................. 22-23 Table 3.3: Percent of Total for Research Purposes ................................................................. 24 Conceptual Framework .................................................................................................................... 24-27 Table 3.4: Percent of Total for Conceptual Framework ........................................................ 27 Data Collection Methodology ......................................................................................................... 27-30 Table 3.5: Linking Research Purpose, Framework, Method, and Statistics ........................ 28 Table 3.6: Percent of Total Research Methods ....................................................................... 30 Statistical Techniques ....................................................................................................................... 30-31 Table 3.7: Percent of Total Statistical Techniques ................................................................. 31 General Characteristics ............................................................................................................................ 31 Table 3.8: Page Length ............................................................................................................... 31 Conceptual Framework Table ............................................................................................................... 32 Table 3.9: Conceptual Framework Table ........................................................................... 32-33 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................................. 33 3 CHAPTER 4: METHODOLOGY ..................................................................................................... 34 Chapter’s Purpose .................................................................................................................................... 34 Operationalization Table ................................................................................................................... 34-35 Table 4.1: Operationalization Table ................................................................................... 35-36 Content Analysis ................................................................................................................................ 36-37 Coding .................................................................................................................................................. 38-39 Population/Sample ................................................................................................................................... 39 Table 4.2: Sample of Arps Used for this Study ................................................................. 39-46 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................................. 47 CHAPTER 5: RESULTS ...................................................................................................................... 48 Chapter’s Purpose .................................................................................................................................... 48 Topical Categories ................................................................................................................................... 48 Table 5.1: Percent of Total for Topical Categories ................................................................ 49 Level of Government ............................................................................................................................... 49 Table 5.2: Percent of Total for Level of Government ............................................................ 49 Research Purposes .................................................................................................................................... 50 Table 5.3: Percent of Total for Research Purposes ................................................................. 50 Conceptual Framework............................................................................................................................ 50 Table 5.4: Percent of Total for Conceptual Framework ........................................................ 51 Research Methods .................................................................................................................................... 51 Table 5.5: Percent of Total for Research Methods ................................................................. 51 Statistical Techniques .............................................................................................................................. 52 Table 5.6: Percent of Total for Statistical Techniques ..........................................................
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