Cumulating the intellectual gold of case study research.

Two criticisms of public administration research have been leveled. First, knowledge in the field is not being cumulated. Second, the research has low quality. A preference for case studies as a form of scientific inquiry is behind both criticisms. The authors propose a solution to the first problem...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:Public Administration Review Vol. 61; no. 2; pp. 235 - 247
Autores principales: Jensen, Jason L., Rodgers, Robert
Formato: Artículo
Publicado: Wiley-Blackwell March/April 2001
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Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
Descripción
Sumario:Two criticisms of public administration research have been leveled. First, knowledge in the field is not being cumulated. Second, the research has low quality. A preference for case studies as a form of scientific inquiry is behind both criticisms. The authors propose a solution to the first problem by showing how meta-analysis can be used to cumulate knowledge using case study evidence. Viewed cumulatively, case studies comprise an intellectual goldmine awaiting discovery. The authors challenge the second criticism, proposing that quality judgments should be based on the important principle of knowledge cumulation, which acknowledges the value of all research methods. Reprinted by permission of the publisher.