Appropriate research methods for postgraduate research : a Public Administration case study

Abstract

This article is based on a fundamental assumption, this being that the production of high-quality postgraduate research depends on the proper application of appropriate research methods. A second assumption is that the postgraduate researcher, in attempting to draw up a sound research design and apply appropriate research methods, requires sound guidance and supervision. The hypothesis for this article is, consequently, that the choice of appropriate research methods strongly relates to the topic and purpose of the research and the unit of observation. For the purposes of this article, the authors used the subject of Public Administration. An analysis of 54 doctoral theses in Public Administration validates this hypothesis, because the analysis reveals that there is a definite association between, on the one hand, the topic and purpose of the research and the units of observation, and, on the other hand, the research methods used.