Public Administration Case Studies

PADM 520 - Public Administration and Society

Case Study Format

Dr. Kristen Obst

CASE STUDY FORMAT

Pick one of the case studies available in the “Case Studies” folder and analyze it roughly following this format. Your paper should be 8-10 pages in length and should follow APA format. For help with APA please consult the library website .

A case study is intended to look at one public management issue in close detail. Most often, these cases will be embedded in a political system in which actors exercise power and influence over processes and decisions. We are interested in cases for both their uniqueness and commonality. Cases are organic and built into a socio-political environment; hence, we observe working parts that connect people with programs in some sort of purposive fashion. Some cases are so important in themselves that we focus on studying their intrinsic qualities. Other cases are applicable to important public administration and public policy questions. Hence, they are considered instrumental to understanding larger issues. Following is a good format to follow when organizing your case study analysis:

 

1. Introduction

The introduction provides the reader with summary background information for the event analyzed in the paper. Its purpose is to establish an analytical framework for the study, so that the reader can understand how it is related to other research. The Introduction has multiple purposes, namely to create reader interest in the topic, establish the problem that leads to the study, place the study within the larger context of the scholarly literature, and reach out to a specific audience. Identify the public management issues you believe are relevant and need to be addressed or resolved via this study.

2. Literature Review

While this event may seem unique, chances are pretty good it is not. What has previous research shown about this issue? How has this problem been addressed at other organizations? The review of previous research accomplishes several purposes. It shares with the reader the results of other studies that are closely related to the study being reported, it relates the study to the larger, ongoing dialogue in the literature about the topic, and it provides a framework for establishing the importance of the study. It can serve as a benchmark for comparing the results of the study with other findings.

3. Analysis

The analysis compares the findings of the study with benchmarks established in the review of literature. It may point out similarities and differences, agreements and contradictions, and posit explanations for these relationships. Normally, it will not assume a burden of proof or disproof, nor claim superiority or insights not justified by the small sample size or singularity of the subject or methodology. Cautious conjecture, with appropriate language and solid reasoning, however is encouraged. Since we are not collecting data in our case studies, they are merely anecdotal, we do not have data to analyze here as you might in a more formal study.

4. Conclusions and Recommendations

Although this section does not need to be long, the writer has an opportunity to tie up loose ends, summarize findings, and draw inferences. Specific recommendations are a good way of concluding the paper. The writer should recommend possible changes in current administrative practices, suggest new methods of management or analysis, or propose changes in ordinances and statutes, for example. The recommendations should flow from the present study and be related directly to the analysis. Don’t ever leave a paper without summarizing your main points otherwise you leave the reader (in whose hands is your GPA!) feeling abandoned.

5. References

You should be citing your sources parenthetically throughout the paper, but you must list your sources at the end of the paper. Please follow APA format for your references section. A list of websites does NOT constitute works cited.

PADM 520 - Public Administration and Society

Case Study Grading Rubric

Dr. Kristen Obst

TASK	POSSIBLE	EARNED
Summarize public administration issue	25
Summarize related research	15
Draw connections to text	15
Compare and contrast studies, support with examples	10
Summarize your findings	10
Recommend changes in current administrative practices	15
References	10
TOTAL	100

� Based on the Case Study Format used at SHRI SHIVAJI VIDYA PRASARAK SANSTHA'S BAPUSAHEB SHIVAJIRAO DEORE COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING. Retrieved February 9, 2009 from ssvps.com/~comp.download/CASE%20STUDY%20FORMAT.doc