What Are Our Goals in Teaching Research Methods to Public Administrators?

Abstract

This essay argues against traditional topic-oriented research methods courses and focuses instead on one of our most important goals: the outcomes desired in public administrators' on-the-job behavior as a result of taking research methods courses These outcomes are concerned with managers' using research intelligently as an important source of decision-making and making a habit of critical thinking that allows them to better formulate and judge programs and policies. Working back from these outcomes, the author emphasizes the importance of the affective component of research methods, outlines cognitive objectives to inform the manager-consumer, and discusses methods that may be useful for achieving desired outcomes.