Assignment 4

· Hi Yolanda,

I understand your focus.  The review you noted may be too narrow. We should keep in mind that the goal is not to find what an organization is doing wrong but to suggest ways to improve its outcomes. For example, you state: "My intention is to determine whether this county board meets its duties and responsibilities as a public administration responsible for the supervision of elections, voter registration, record keeping, and the administration of election laws in Prince George's County..."

Before deciding on program evaluation or action research, consider the goal of the project. Perhaps you can go back and read the suggested papers that Dr. Mink sent you. In those articles, what may be a gap in the literature that you could examine in reviewing the county board of elections? In other words, what would be the research questions? 

See if we can focus more on a gap in the existing literature and how the project might be able to fill that gap. 

Let me know your thoughts. Be happy to chat with you about it.

Best, Dr E

From: Yolanda Tucker < [email protected] > Sent: Friday, April 19, 2019 9:35 PM To: Erakovich, Rod Subject: Topic Concerns

 

Greetings:

After much thought, I think I am more comfortable with doing a program evaluation of the county board of elections as opposed to making it a case study. My intention is to determine whether this county board meets its duties and responsibilities as a public administration responsible for the supervision of elections, voter registration, record keeping, and the administration of election laws in Prince George's County, in accordance with Article 33 of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The Board and the Election Administrator seeks to provide voter registration to every county citizen who desires it. Thus, my goal is to determine the extent to which it its members meets the goals of these programs. I believe a program evaluation would capture this more than a case study since I would have to look for a different topic to ‘study’ the case on. 

Please advise your feedback on this, and whether this is possible. 

Thank you in advance.

Regards,

Yolanda

From: "Dr E.

Hi Yolanda,

I am attaching the SMART form and your project description with a few comments. My sense is you are trying to add too much to the paragraph. Just describe the project. Is this a program evaluation or case study? I would think a case study would go smoother. Make sure to add a part on the goal (better, processes, etc) and complete the remainder of the form.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Regards, Dr E

From: 

Hi Yolanda,

I am forwarding this email from Dr. Mink. This should help in revising your topic. Please check the library for a copy of Herr and Anderson's - The Action Research Topic. It will help you in framing the topic. I think this was noted in the other form that was sent to you for revisions.

I know we scheduled to talk on Thursday, but I have a conflict that day. I can talk later that day - around 4 PM my time (CST), I am also busy on Friday until about 2 PM (CST). I can talk on Tuesday or Wednesday if you are available.

Just let me know.

Regards, Rod

From: Mink, Ellen Subject: Re: Diss Topic Review Yolanda TuckerDue 04/22/19 - DEFERRED

 

While participating in voting is certainly an important topic, why individuals don't vote is not an appropriate topic for public administration. You could perhaps examine systemic issues or the administration of polling places, etc. but individual reasons for not voting is not sufficient and much is already known about this topic. 

Just did a quick scan - Here is an article making a link of the suggested nature with public admin:  https://journals-sagepub-com.library.capella.edu/doi/pdf/10.1177/1065912911430671  or this:  https://www-sciencedirect-com.library.capella.edu/science/article/pii/S0261379415000062

Or perhaps you could focus on public engagement in local politics. This is an interesting article on that:  https://journals-sagepub-com.library.capella.edu/doi/pdf/10.1177/0275074013519702  

Please review the DPA programs of research document for some guidance on selecting a topic:  https://campus.capella.edu/web/doctoral-programs/professional/dpa/dissertation

Please work with your mentor to revise your topic and develop a clear link to public administration. Thank you! 

(cc'ing the mentor so he can use this info for grading purposes this quarter, but please send him the official notice as well - thanks!)

Ellen Mink, PhD