PPA 697 - DIRECTED RESEARCH

Instructor: Dr. Michelle A. Saint-Germain
Office: SPA-159

Telephone: (562) 985-5383 or message (562) 985-4178
FAX: (562) 985-4MPA (985-4672)
E-mail: msaintg@csulb.edu

Fall 2000 Office Hours: Thurs 3-6 pm & other times and days by appointment
 

Course Description and Objectives

    The Directed Research Project provides the student with a meaningful capstone research experience as a part of his or her professional preparation. It requires that the student formulate and conduct a project that will analyze a research topic or issue of significance to the field of public policy and administration. PPA 697 is a supervised experience in the application of theory and analytical tools to administrative processes and policy formulation in the public sector. The successful project reflects a capacity to perceive the nature and ramifications of selected issues that confront the public administrator.
 

Major Topics Covered

    The topic selected for the research study may be directly related to the field of public policy and administration and to the career interests, needs, and objectives of the student as an administrative generalist, a specialist in administrative skills, or an administrator of a specific functional area. The Directed Research Project should provide an active research experience that is directly applicable to an examination of administrative processes or policy analysis in public agencies and should produce a usable outcome. A student should be advanced to candidacy and have completed all core courses prior to enrolling in PPA 697.
 

Schedule

    At the beginning of the semester, the student should submit to the instructor a Directed Research Prospectus, which defines the focus of the research. It includes:

1. The specific area within the general field of public policy and administration
2. The precise question(s) to be addressed
3. The hypothesis to be tested
4. The methodology to be used in conducting the research
5. The sources and availability of information
6. The expected results
7. The importance or implications for public policy and/or administration
 

The Directed Research Prospectus must be presented to the instructor for approval before moving to the following steps:
 

Week 5: The student should submit an outline with a preliminary bibliography.
Week 10: The student should submit a rough draft of the final report to the instructor for discussion and feedback.
Week 13: The student should submit two copies of the final project to the instructor.  One copy will be kept by the Department and the other returned to the student.

    To complete the Directed Research Project within one semester, the student should enroll in the full three course units at the beginning of that semester. To complete the Directed Research Project over more than one semester, the student can enroll for at least one course unit in the first semester and one or more units in each subsequent semester, up to the limit of three course units total. If the student has already enrolled in three course units of PPA 697 but requires additional time to complete the degree, the student may enroll in XGS-700 (see Student Handbook, Part IV).

    A grade report must be filled out for each semester in which a student is enrolled in PPA 697. Please consult with the instructor to reach a clear understanding of what will be considered satisfactory progress in order to receive the designation "SP." It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all agreements are kept and that all deadlines are adhered to. Please make regular appointments with the instructor and re-schedule them if unforeseen circumstances arise.
 

Format

The final report should conform to the following points:
1. Text typed doubled spaced with one-inch margins on each side; use a normal 10 or 12 point font; number all pages.
2. Paper length will vary but the topic must be covered thoroughly. Generally this will require at least 25 pages of text, plus bibliography, appendices, etc.
3. Use a style guide such as the American Psychological Association's Publication Manual, the Chicago Manual of Style, Turabian's Guide for Writers, or Scott and Garrison's The Political Science Student Writer's Manual.
4. The first section of the report should include: a. a title page b. acknowledgments c a table of contents d. a list of tables (if applicable) e. a list of illustrations (if applicable) f. a list of appendices (if applicable)
5. The main body of the text should include:
a. an abstract or executive summary
b. (Chapter 1) definition to the problem or issue
c. (Chapter 2) background of the problem or issue (literature review)
d. (Chapter 3) methodology
e. (Chapter 4) findings, analysis and discussion
f. (Chapter 5) conclusions and recommendations
g. Endnotes
h. References
6. The final section of the report should include any appendices, instruments used, or other supplemental materials.

    The final report must be fully documented, giving the source of all statements from authorities, citations of facts and opinions, quotations, and other attributions. The APA style of author, date, and pages enclosed in parentheses is preferred for the text. Footnotes or endnotes may also be used. Be sure to select one style and follow it throughout the report.

    The student should be familiar with and adhere to the University General Regulations and Procedures as stated in the CSULB catalogue regarding cheating and plagiarism. These regulations have also been adopted by the Graduate Center for Public Policy and Administration. Cases of cheating or plagiarism are subject to such sanctions as change of grade as well as other measures. In addition, the Graduate Center for Public Policy and Administration does not permit the submission of required course term papers in more than one class. PPA 697 project reports must be based on original work and may not be reproductions, in whole or in part, of work completed by others.
 

References

    A general list of related sources is provided at the end of this syllabus (see link on previous page). In addition, the instructor will provide specific references for each student according to the topic of the research. A handout on finding information through electronic sources (e-mail, Internet, world wide web, etc.) is also available.