Chapter 3 – Methodology (length varies depending on detail)
The Methodology chapter should be straightforward and include steps that are easily
understood to facilitate replication, much like a cooking recipe is easily understood for cooks
to replicate a dish. However, the methodology should avoid irrelevant detail. If only the
‘time’ is relevant, do not go into detail about ‘building the clock’. There should be very few
citations from other sources as this chapter describes your work.
A. Design (1 ½ to 2 pages) — Discuss the framework for the data collection for your study.
Restate the problem and what you hope to accomplish with your data collection and
analysis. State whether your study is qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods. Did you
collect your own data specifically for the study (primary source) or were you able to
repurpose data from another study for your study (secondary source)? What are the
primary variables you are attempting to measure? Broadly describe the participants – or
subjects under study. Did you gather your data using surveys, interviews, or
observations? (Note: Be sure to include actual questions as an appendix to your final
project.)
B. Data Collection (length varies but should convey details of data collection process) —
Provides detailed framework for collecting data for the study.
C. Data Analysis – Discuss the steps taken to analyze the data for your study. Begin the
analysis by summarizing and illustrating any demographic data (i.e. gender, ethnicity,
years at organization, etc.) using descriptive statistics to provide an overall picture of the
participants. Transition into focusing your analysis on the major variables outlined in
your research question and hypothesis. Too many students have a disconnect between
the variables outlined in the research question and their data analysis. If your study
examines the relationship between spirituality and job satisfaction, you need tables and
charts illustrating that data. Conclude the analysis with broad comments about the results
of the data, but don’t compare the data to the research question and hypothesis yet—that
comparison will be completed in the next step.
D. Limitations (1/2 page) — Discuss any barriers or obstacles encountered during the data
collection and analysis process.
Chapter 4 – Results (1 to 1½ pages)
This chapter presents the results or findings of the study, specifically how the results of the
data respond to the initial research question and hypothesis. Did the results agree or disagree
with the hypothesis?
Chapter 5 – Conclusion and Discussion (1½ to 2 pages)
This chapter begins by restating the original problem or topic presented in the first chapter
and the original purpose for conducting the research, and then moves on to discuss the
following topics:
o summary of main points and whether they support, agree with, differ from, etc. the
finding of other researchers,
o possible explanations or rationale for the findings based on the researcher’s informed
understanding of the topic,
o implications and practical applications of the findings to the public administration
profession (i.e. If spirituality is related to job satisfaction, how can public
administrators use elements of spirituality to improve satisfaction at the workplace?),
o recommendations for further study (What are other areas of one’s life that can be
made better by having a sense of spirituality?), and finally
o end this chapter, and your project, with some reflections on the process and final
words.
References
List of all cited references according to APA format
Appendices
• Actual survey used for surveys or interview questions for interviews (Note: Surveys,
interviews, etc. should always convey informed consent standards to all participants.)
• Other appendices as necessaryThe
