General Instructions
As doctoral students, your assignments are expected to follow the principles of high-quality scientific standards and promote knowledge and understanding in the field of public administration. You should apply a rigorous and critical assessment of a body of theory and empirical research, articulating what is known about the phenomenon and ways to advance research about the topic under review. Research syntheses should identify significant variables, a systematic and reproducible search strategy, and a clear framework for studies included in the larger analysis.
Manuscripts should not be written in first person (“I”). All material should be 12-point, Times New Roman type, double-spaced with margins of one inch.
All manuscripts should be clearly and concisely written, with technical material set off. Please do not use jargon, slang, idioms, colloquialisms, or bureaucratese. Use acronyms sparingly and spell them out the first time you use them. Please do not construct acronyms from phrases you repeat frequently in the text.
Structure of Assignment Paper
1. Use the following structure for your research article: Abstract, Introduction, Literature Review/Theory, Methods, Results, Discussion, and Conclusion. Include a robust discussion section distinct from your conclusion.
2. Give your article a Title that is both descriptive and inviting to prospective readers. Your article title should appeal to both scholars and practitioners. Use a shortened version of the main idea of your article in the title.
3. Your Abstract should inform readers what your article is about and its most important findings. Readers, including scholars and practitioners, should be able to understand your topic, argument, and conclusions. Make your abstract straightforward and do not use technical language or jargon.
4. In the Lit Review/Theory, cite only literature and theory pertinent to the specific issue and not those that are of only tangential or general significance. When summarizing earlier works, avoid nonessential details; instead, emphasize pertinent findings, relevant methodological issues, and major conclusions. Citation of relevant earlier literature is a sign of scholarly responsibility and it is critical for the growth of a doctoral student in public administration.
5. Methods: The Methods section “describes in detail how the study was conducted, including conceptual and operational definitions of the variables used in the study. Different types of studies will rely on different methodologies; however, a complete description of the methods used enables the reader to evaluate the appropriateness of your methods and the reliability and the validity of your results” (APA current edition). Include a description of your sample size and procedure, participants, how data collected, and research design.
