Includes bibliographical references and index.

Contents: Introduction -- Research basics: what do we want to know and why? -- Overview and context of the research process -- Applied research questions, literature and theory -- Applied research designs -- Data collection: where and how can we gather information?: Qualitative data collection in the field -- Survey research -- Analyzing data and communicating about them: what do they mean? how can they be used? -- Writing and presentations --

"This book examines applied research methods in public and nonprofit organizations by taking an integrative approach to applied research, emphasizing design, data collection, and analysis. Common case studies across chapters illustrate the everyday nature of research, and practical exercises reinforce concepts across all sections of the text. The authors include forms and formats for data collection and analysis, plus writing excerpts that demonstrate results reporting and presentation. The book is intended for students and practitioners of public administration, public policy, and nonprofit management"-- Provided by publisher.