Compares dissertation research from 1992 in public administration, criminology, management, planning, social work, and women's studies. Concludes that what should be done to improve the contribution of doctoral research to the field is to improve the quality of all types of dissertation research. (Author/JOW)

A survey analyzing networking and contact with colleagues received 159 of 307 responses, 73% from criminal justice practitioners and 27% from criminal justice faculty. Apparent differences in communication practices disappear when educational level and research involvement are considered. (SK)

Uses a study of community-based development organizations (CBDOs) to describe how directors of CBDOs perceive their work. Postulates that many administrators misunderstand the mission of CBDOs to not only provide services but to foster broader change. Encourages those in the public sector to understand better and support an alternative to the…

Describes four alternative kinds of knowledge that differ from the mainstream concept of scientific knowledge. Argues that science, engineering, and bureaucratic institutions, under a common model of reality, often ignore and suppress these insightful kinds of knowledge. (Author)

Focuses on the integrated use of economic, sociological, social-psychological, and other advanced conceptual models and heuristics in the study of public institutions and management, with the potential to strengthen the field's scholarship and the possibilities for theory-grounded practice. (Author/JOW)

Concept mapping and sorting in education stresses relationships between concepts, applications of mapping, processes, and grounding in learning theory. In business and public administration the emphasis is on decision making and planning. (SK)

A method for objective preemployment interviewing that saves time and money includes (1) identifying, defining, and quantifying relevant information about applicants; (2) interpreting applicants' verbal, vocal, and visual behaviors; and (3) using interviewing techniques that could elicit more accurate information. (SK)

Considers two dimensions of changes in former Soviet Union countries: (1) obstacles to transformations away from strong state domination; and (2) contrasting approaches in public administration education to facilitate democratic development in these countries. (JOW)

Discusses the history of public administration at Johns Hopkins University from the late 1800s when a curriculum was developed to educate public servants. Suggests that the program made notable contributions to progressivism but was eclipsed by scientific management; however, it has new relevance in the current climate. (Contains 46 references.)…

This study examines the extent to which databases support student and faculty research in the area of public administration. A list of journals in public administration, public policy, political science, public budgeting and finance, and other related areas was compared to the journal content list of six business databases. These databases…

Public administration and management training (PAMT) in developing countries has expanded and diversified in the past three decades. Five preconditions have been identified as necessary to ensure the effectiveness of that training: training policies and management of institutions, the educational system, the stock of educated personnel, personnel…

This essay presents some of the possibilities for doing systematic quantitative research in the field of African public administration and reviews some of the methodological problems involved. The authors argue that quantitative research is especially desirable because of the gains to be achieved in precision, reliability, comparability, and new…

Examines efforts made in recent years to introduce ethics into the curricula of graduate studies programs in public affairs and administration. The questionnaire asked a broad series of questions eliciting both quantitative (program size, organizational structure) and qualitative information (educational goals). Includes statistical and tabular…

Examines the contributions of Dwight Waldo to public administration, including his impact on pedagogy, use of the case method, his appreciation for art and the administrative "novel" in teaching, his views on appropriate elements of the public administration curriculum, and the relationship of public administration to political science.…

Edgar Snow scored an extraordinary scoop in 1936 when he persuaded Mao Zedong to tell his story. The resulting book--"Red Star Over China"--was a best-seller in the West and translated editions caused a sensation in China. Adult education was the centrepiece of Communist revolution and featured prominently in Red Star. It is now the…