Without jargon or mathematical theory to hinder a quick understanding and use, here are the research tools and techniques you can grasp and immediately apply to obtain research services from others or do research yourself. Johnson makes clear that to succeed in any public agency management position, you have to be able to think analytically and know how to assess the quality of research results. By providing the underlying concepts and just enough methodology to operationalize them, she gives you exactly what you need--in a clear, straightforward way that takes the fear out of learning....

Over the past twenty years, a number of factors, including the attempts to reduce the size of the federal bureaucracy, have contributed to a growing concern over the federal government's ability to attract, motivate, and retain a talented and committed workforce. This book is devoted to exploring the question of what it takes to attract and maintain such employees, and does so by focusing on the Presidential Management Intern Program, which brings young people with graduate degrees into federal service. The study takes a close look at the program and its interns from 1978 to 1984,...

As in previous editions, this highly practical book is written with beginning MPA students and practitioners in mind. It focuses on the interpretation and use of research findings, not just number crunching. It covers the entire research process, from initial questions to final report, in clear, jargon-free language, and includes numerous easy-to-understand examples and exercises that provide opportunities for concrete applications of the concepts. It is solidly grounded in public administration and recognizes both the promise and limitations of research within a political environment....