Prompt
Scholars concur that qualitative research methods in public administration fulfill a valuable role yet are underrepresented as an approach within the overall body of academic literature (Ospina et al., 2018). Despite the wide range of perspectives, theories, ontologies, and methods, purely qualitative methods have been perceived as a niche and, more so, have served as a buttress for quantitative data in mixed methods inquiries (Ospina et al., 2018). Yet qualitative research methods informed by a biblical-covenantal worldview offer several advantages to public administration researchers over quantitative methods, particularly in support of practical, real-world applications (Lune & Berg, 2017).
1 Thessalonians 5:21 instructs us to test all things and hold fast to that which is good. This suggests that as public administration researchers, we should seek to understand the cultural, economic, political, and social context of public administration tasks to support data-driven decision-making and problem-solving (Lune & Berg, 2017).
For example, in the study of federalism and intergovernmental relations, where power is shared between various agencies across executive, legislative, and judicial branches at one or more layers of government, a purely quantitative approach is overly reductive, since quantifying outputs into zeros and ones does not help qualify the outcomes and the impacts of policymaking (O’Toole, 1990). Qualitative methods, on the other hand, provide a nuanced understanding of the dynamics between stakeholders, including elected officials, public administrators, and special interest groups, elucidate the inputs that influence the outcomes, and enable program evaluation of the implementation of policies to identify the factors which facilitate or hinder effective governance and stewardship (Lune & Berg, 2017).
These methods also become useful in defining unintended consequences, which aids in designing more effective and responsive policies (Stout, 2013). Romans 13:1 means that every person should be subject to the governing authorities. Paul’s was underpinned by the message that while we are obligated to obey, we should not do so unquestioningly, particularly when the actions of the government of, by, and for the people conflict with a higher moral duty (Ingram et al., 2003).
Qualitative research methods provide the ways and means to explore these phenomena and explore the human experience with public administration, something numerical data cannot provide (Lune & Berg, 2017). “For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him?” (1 Corinthians 2:11). Public administration researchers pursue knowledge not merely for the sake of knowledge but to gain wisdom and positively affect the policies, programs and services their system of government seeks to provide (Stout, 2013).
The tasks that comprise intergovernmental affairs, intergovernmental relations, and intergovernmental management, existing within a larger ethical framework, may impact different communities differently (Bolleyer, 2011). While the numbers may indicate a policy is adhering to program requirements or meeting a certain bottom-line policy goal, qualitative review can make policymaking more flexible and responsive by understanding how these tasks are experienced and perceived (Lune & Berg, 2017).
As the saying goes, perception is reality; various epistemologies argue that reality is reality (Rocheleau, 1986). How that reality is shaped varies from school to school (Ospina et al., 2018). “Then said Pilate unto him, ‘What is truth?’” (John 18:38). Romans 10:12 illustrated how earthly distinctions are meaningless to the heavenly father, and all who call upon him shall abound in riches. Transformative leaders seek to bridge this divide and address structural inequalities to promote equitable governance (Fischer, 2010). This is evocative of the covenantal duty or obligation between public administrators and those they govern, with their consent (Fischer, 2017).
Thus, seeing beyond the numbers can be said to help researchers understand the often subjective realities of the individuals and communities impacted by public administration (Stout, 2013). When insights from a Christian worldview and a biblical-covenantal perspective are incorporated, policymaking not only becomes more effective, but more just (Fischer, 2017). Transformation is enabled through servant leadership and the performance of stewardship, which reflects the experiences and needs of all individuals and organizations in the communities with a single set of values (Fischer, 2010). Recognizing these advantages, universities providing instruction in public administration research have made great strides in incorporating instruction in qualitative methods into their mandatory curricula (Stout, 2013). “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” (Matthew 25:40).
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References
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