This article deals with the factors and skills involved in writing an article for publication in an accredited journal. It discusses the journal writer's participation in the publishing culture; tips for better writing; the components of an excellent manuscript and the information that should be sent to the publisher. The manuscript's review process by the journal editor and the criteria involved in adjudicating manuscripts, as well as the importance of revising and resubmitting the m ...

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2021-Jun-14 16:00:19

The aim of this article is to provide the reader with practical guidelines and useful insights on the mechanics and human element of writing theses and dissertations. The article focuses on only two elements of a thesis and dissertation: data analysis and findings and discussion; and discussion, conclusion, and recommendations. These are generally considered to be the last two chapters of any thesis and dissertation. Writing theses and dissertations involve specific technical issues such as t ...

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2021-Jun-14 15:56:56

The aim of this article is to acquaint the reader with the process of selecting a research topic and developing a research proposal. Careful planning is important prior to embarking on a research project such as a dissertation or thesis. The first step of this planning process is to select a well-focused research topic. The second step involves the development of a research proposal. This article focuses on how a researcher should approach the topic selection process, as well as the steps in ...

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2021-Jun-14 15:53:25

This article considers the analysis of data in quantitative research. Firstly, the question... What is data processing and data entry in quantitative research is discussed. Secondly, the article discusses elementary data analysis and data presentation. The article then discusses searching for relationships, an important aspect as, whilst the methods that have been discussed in this article are useful in summarising and providing descriptive information about the variables, policy- and public ...

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2021-Jun-14 15:49:50

This article addresses a number of issues related to qualitative data processing and analysis in Public Administration and Management research. The article conceptualises data processing and analysis in this field and then deals with the key variables affecting these procedures, including the preparation and organising of field notes and transcripts (memoing), methods of theme and pattern identification, coding and concept mapping. The impact of research interventions (the so-called researche ...

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2021-Jun-14 15:46:02

This article provides a broad review of the main approaches to evaluation research as they developed over the past six decades. These approaches are the experimental or quasi-experimental approaches of the 1960s and 1970s as epitomised in the work of Donald Campbell and later Thomas Cook; the naturalist and qualitative tradition that challenged the experimental approach in the 1970s and 1980s and illustrated in the works of Guba, Lincoln, Patton and Williams; the critical evaluation approach ...

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2021-Jun-14 15:42:32

The article calls for an appreciation of alternative social research methods. In so doing the argument moves away from the dangers of an over-emphasis on quantitative strategies towards action research methodology. Disciplines like Public and Development Management/Public Administration do not have a tradition of alternative research methodology. Participatory Learning and Action is part of a growing family of action research methodology and exposes the researcher to the meaning-giving social ...

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2021-Jun-14 15:37:51

This article presents issues relating to unobtrusive research methods in content analysis, the analysis of existing statistics and historical / comparative analysis linking the process of studying social behaviour without affecting it. The article focuses on specific dimensions of content analysis within the context of unobtrusive methods namely, the topics appropriate for content analysis, sampling in content analysis, enumeration in content analysis, as well as an approach to content analys ...

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2021-Jun-14 15:33:22

This article explains what is involved in qualitative field research and why it is an appropriate method for the study of certain events and activities. The article lists the social settings which are relevant to field research and discusses their strengths and weaknesses. It also examines six of the most common forms of qualitative field research designs or approaches and summarises the sampling methods involved in this type of research. The features of theoretical sampling are also discusse ...

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2021-Jun-14 15:26:10