Practical Research Methods for Nonprofit and Public Administrators, Second Edition, covers basic principles of research design, data collection, data analysis, reporting and ethical principles of research. The discussion describes the skills as they would be used in practice in a not-for-profit or public administration environment. The book gives pragmatic instructions for designing research to ensure that results will be accurate and administrators can have confidence in them. It covers techniques to assure that researchers are measuring what they intend to measure and in a way that will be useful and manageable. Sampling methods to find out about larger populations are discussed as are survey, interview, and focus group data collection procedures. The book describes how Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are used to obtain information on the locations of service needs and providers and to draw maps showing these. Participatory research methods including community needs assessments and asset mapping are discussed. The book includes chapters on statistical analysis, visual displays of data, reporting of results and evaluation of programs. The use of computer programs for analyzing data is detailed and illustrated by examples. The appropriate software for analysis and mapping is discussed. A chapter updates the ethics and government requirements for research. Each chapter includes examples and exercises to enhance learning. The book is intended for administrators in not-for-profit and public administration organizations, providing practical skills that can be used in many situations. It is also intended for use as a text in academic programs in administration and management.

Practical Research Methods for Nonprofit and Public Administrators, Second Edition, covers basic principles of research design, data collection, data analysis, reporting and ethical principles of research. The discussion describes the skills as they would be used in practice in a not-for-profit or public administration environment. The book gives pragmatic instructions for designing research to ensure that results will be accurate and administrators can have confidence in them. It covers techniques to assure that researchers are measuring what they intend to measure and in a way that will be useful and manageable. Sampling methods to find out about larger populations are discussed as are survey, interview, and focus group data collection procedures. The book describes how Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are used to obtain information on the locations of service needs and providers and to draw maps showing these. Participatory research methods including community needs assessments and asset mapping are discussed. The book includes chapters on statistical analysis, visual displays of data, reporting of results and evaluation of programs. The use of computer programs for analyzing data is detailed and illustrated by examples. The appropriate software for analysis and mapping is discussed. A chapter updates the ethics and government requirements for research. Each chapter includes examples and exercises to enhance learning. The book is intended for administrators in not-for-profit and public administration organizations, providing practical skills that can be used in many situations. It is also intended for use as a text in academic programs in administration and management.

The first "how to" manual for online teaching in the helping professions. This is the first hands-on guide to address the unique challenges of educators in the helping professions who have minimal or no experience with online technologies. Written for online instructors, clinical faculty, program directors, administrators, and other educators, it describes practical and effective ways to teach material that is intrinsically based on face-to-face interaction through mediated means. Grounded in research and the expertise of authors with years of online teaching experience, the book moves from the basics of online course delivery to more complex arenas such as preparing both instructors and students to effectively transition to online learning. The book examines a variety of online designs uniquely suited to courses in the helping professions, including such platforms as Blackboard Collaborate, Blackboard Vista, and Moodle. Moving beyond lecture-level education, the text discusses online supervision of students who are beginning field and clinical experiences, as well as ethical considerations when teaching and supervising online. Replete with abundant tips, reflective questions, checklists, timelines, and vignettes, the text also includes an entire chapter devoted to overcoming fears of the online environment for both instructor and student. Key Features: Addresses the unique needs and concerns of online teaching and training in the helping professions Provides examples of course content at multiple levels and practice settings Includes practical tips, reflective questions, checklists, course design timelines, and vignettes to support the reader at all stages of teaching online Defines key terms and definitions Considers common pitfalls to avoid

HBO's critically acclaimed drama The Wire has seen increasing use as course material in college classrooms since the 2008 series finale. Yet there are few resources available to those using the show as a teaching tool. This collection of new essays discusses various approaches for using The Wire to bring the experiences of marginalized communities into the post-secondary classroom as means for examining critical social issues. The contributors cover a range of topics including leadership, sexuality, class, gender and race.