Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination: Public Administration,
Public Administration Theory and Public Management
August, 2013
Directions: Answer one question in each of the three sections below. Be sure to answer
all parts of each question. Please indicate clearly which question you are answering. This
is a closed book exam to take place in Robinson Hall. You will be given 8 hours to
complete the exam.
In preparing your response to the questions please remember that the overall logic and
reasoning of your answer is important. While we expect that you will reference relevant
literature and research to support your logic, it is not sufficient to rely simply on
references. Clearly indicating how and why the literature of the field (in terms of
specific ideas, content, and/or data) supports your reasoning is important also.
Additionally, where clearly contending schools of thought exist about a subject you
should indicate the nature of each schools’ position and which school of thought you see
as most persuasive and why. Where your logic rests on your own unique synthesis and
understanding of the literature do not be afraid to underscore and elaborate your
reasoning.
Bureaucracy, Organizations and Networks
1. Models of organization decision making processes are often categorized into
families such as “rational”, “incremental-bargaining”, and “aggregative”. Into
which of these families would you classify “Garbage Can Decision-making”?
Explain in detail why you would make this classification and discuss the relevant
decision literatures.
2. Goldsmith and Eggers introduce the concept of “network integrator” as a key
element in the performance of networks. What are the positives and negatives of
this concept from a “management” perspective? Does it make sense to suggest
that networks which often form spontaneously should “design in” a network-wide
function at the point of inception?
3. Woodrow Wilson in his classic article on bureaucracy suggested that there is a
logical separation between politics and administration. In the context of 21st
Century government, is it possible to suggest that any institutional element of
government, especially the bureaucracy, is apolitical?
Methodology and Public Administration
1. Barbara Geddes criticized Theda Skocpol for her case selection in States and
Social Revolutions. Subsequently Charles Ragin, Collier and Mahoney and
others defended Skocpol's selection. Choosing cases well is a critical task in
qualitative research. What should qualitative researchers consider when selecting
cases? How would you apply these considerations to your own research?
2. Methodologists suggest that quantitative methods should be employed when the
goal of the research is prediction and qualitative methods should be employed
when the research goal is understanding. Explain the reasoning behind this
assertion. Do you agree with this assertion? Why or why not? Draw on examples
from research studies or your own proposed research to support your claims.
3. Some suggest that qualitative methods are not well suited for identifying causal
relationships. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of using qualitative methods
for causal explanation. Using your own research or studies in your area of
interest, describe how you could employ qualitative methods for identifying
causal relationships.
Accountability and Policy Processes
1. Many accountability scholars have pointed to the presence of multiple sources
and strategies for accountability in advanced nations. Jonathan Koppell has
coined the term “multiple accountability disorder” to refer to the presence of
multiple and often competing forms of accountability. Drawing upon the
relevant literature, discuss the multiple dimensions of the concept of
accountability and the real and potential conflicts that can arise between them.
2. “Accountability is a dynamic problem of governance, and the challenges posed
vary as legal and bureaucratic institutions evolve.” Critically evaluate this thesis
in light of the relevant literature and analyze the differences and similarities of
accountability challenges confronting developed and developing countries.
3. “One of the central challenges faced by representative systems of government is
the assurance that adequate attention be paid to the general public interest in the
face of legislators’ narrow electoral interests and bureaucrats’ specialized
responsibilities and parochial vision.” Discuss three distinct ways that this
challenge has been framed and conceptualized in the literatures on public
administration, political science, and political economy and associated
recommendations for mitigating this dilemma.