Survey Research in Public Administration: Assessing Mainstream Journals with a Total Survey Error Framework

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Lee, Geon; Benoit-Bryan, Jennifer; Johnson, Timothy P.
• 署名单位: Seoul National University (SNU); University of Illinois System; University of Illinois Chicago; University of Illinois Chicago Hospital; University of Illinois System; University of Illinois Chicago; University of Illinois Chicago Hospital
• 刊物名称: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION REVIEW
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0033-3352
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-6210.2011.02482.x
• 发表日期: 2012
• 页码: 87-97
• 关键词: ORGANIZATIONAL-BEHAVIOR; doctoral dissertation; quantitative research; survey response; questions; rates

摘要

Survey research is a common tool for assessing public opinions, perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors for analyses in many social science disciplines. Yet there is little knowledge regarding how specific elements of survey research methodology are applied in practice in public administration. This article examines five mainstream public administration journals over an eight-year period regarding current methodological practice, organized around the total survey error framework. The findings show that survey research in the field of public administration features mainly small-scale studies, heavy reliance on a single data collection mode, questionable sample selection procedures, and suspect sample frame quality. Survey data largely are analyzed without careful consideration of assumptions or potential sources of error. An informed evaluation of the quality of survey data is made more difficult by the fact that many journal articles do not detail data collection procedures. This study concludes with suggestions for improving the quality and reporting of survey research in the field.