Wrestling with Intellectual Diversity in Public Administration: Avoiding Disconnectedness and Fragmentation while Seeking Rigor, Depth, and Relevance

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Nesbit, Rebecca; Moulton, Stephanie; Robinson, Scott; Smith, Craig; DeHart-Davis, Leisha; Feeney, Mary K.; Gazley, Beth; Hou, Yilin
• 署名单位: University of North Carolina; University of North Carolina Charlotte; University System of Ohio; Ohio State University; Texas A&M University System; Texas A&M University College Station; University of Arizona; University of Kansas; University of Illinois System; University of Illinois Chicago; University of Illinois Chicago Hospital; Indiana University System; Indiana University Bloomington; University System of Georgia; University of Georgia
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION RESEARCH AND THEORY
• ISSN/ISSBN: 1053-1858
• DOI: 10.1093/jopart/muq062
• 发表日期: 2011
• 页码: I13-I28
• 关键词: dissertation; network

摘要

Public Administration (PA) is a field characterized by great diversity in theoretical approaches and methodological tactics. This wide scope lends itself to potential epistemological and methodological fragmentation, which prevents scholars from adequately appreciating and building on each other's work. Although many scholars value PA's theoretical and methodological diversity, this intellectual diversity brings some important trade-offs that must be acknowledged. We see three future challenges for the field as (1) supporting the application of diverse and rigorous methodological approaches, (2) continuing to encourage theoretical diversity and theoretical depth, and (3) promoting relevance without compromising methodological rigor and theoretical depth. We believe that a self-conscious, deliberate focus on balancing these goals will strengthen and connect public administration. In this article, we suggest several practical strategies for accomplishing this, such as embracing the public focus of our research, working in interdisciplinary teams, and being more explicit about methodological assumptions and approaches in our writing.