Title: Conducting best practices research in public affairs

Authors: Stephanie M. Myers, Hayden P. Smith, Lawrence L. Martin

Addresses: Department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies, University of Central Florida, USA. ' College of Health and Public Affairs, University of Central Florida, USA. ' Center for Community Partnerships, College of Health and Public Affairs, University of Central Florida, USA

Abstract: Over the past decade a broad cross section of research has been carried out under the rubric of best practices (Bendixson and de Guchteneire, 2003). This article takes a closer look at best practices research and its application to the field of public affairs. First, two questions are addressed: what is best practice? And what is best practice research? Next, some of the major methodical criticisms of best practice research are addressed. The two major approaches (e.g. quantitative/microeconomic and qualitative/case study) to conducting best practices research are then identified and discussed. A recent qualitative/case study best practices research effort conducted by the Center for Community Partnerships at the University of Central Florida is then detailed. As part of this recitation, a tripartite schema to classify qualitative/case study approaches to best practices research is presented.

Keywords: best practice research; methodological issues; public affairs; qualitative approach; quantitative approach; public policy.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPP.2006.010842

International Journal of Public Policy, 2006 Vol.1 No.4, pp.367 - 378

Published online: 06 Sep 2006 *

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