QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS REPORT

  1. Use the following structure for your research article: Abstract, Introduction, Literature
    Review/Theory, Methods, Results, Discussion, and Conclusion. Include a robust
    discussion section distinct from your conclusion.
  2. Give your article a Title that is both descriptive and inviting to prospective readers. Your
    article title should appeal to both scholars and practitioners. Use a shortened version of
    the main idea of your article in the title.
  3. Your Abstract should inform readers what your article is about and its most important
    findings. Readers, including scholars and practitioners, should be able to understand your
    topic, argument, and conclusions. Make your abstract straightforward and do not use
    technical language or jargon.
  4. In the Literature Review/Theory, cite only literature and theory pertinent to the specific
    issue and not those that are of only tangential or general significance. When summarizing
    earlier works, avoid nonessential details; instead, emphasize pertinent findings, relevant
    methodological issues, and major conclusions. Citation of relevant earlier literature is a
    sign of scholarly responsibility and it is critical for the growth of a doctoral student in
    public administration.
  5. Methods: The Methods section “describes in detail how the study was conducted,
    including conceptual and operational definitions of the variables used in the study.
    Different types of studies will rely on different methodologies; however, a complete
    description of the methods used enables the reader to evaluate the appropriateness of your
    methods and the reliability and the validity of your results” (APA current edition).
    Include a description of your sample size and procedure, participants, how data collected,
    and research design.
  6. Results include data analysis used, results of the analysis including tables and figures.
  7. Discussion section includes interpretations from the analysis. How do your analyses
    relate to the results found by scholars in your lit review/theory section? In this section,
    evaluate and interpret their implications, especially with respect to your original
    hypotheses.
  8. Provide a distinct Conclusion that tells readers what you found, why it is important, and
    what difference it will make for research and practice. Ensure you separate your
    discussion section from the conclusion of the article. Synthesize your article; do not
    summarize it. Show readers how the pieces of your article fit together. Answer the
    question “So what?” Why is your article significant, and how is it relevant?