GOV 603 WEEK 4 Homework #1: Article Critique

Homework #1: Article Critique
Answer the following questions based on your reading of Olivero et al. (1997) Olivero et al. (1997) – Alternative Formats . Review the detailed guidelines (page 1) and example article critique (page 2) in the following document: Homework #1 – Article Critique.docx Homework #1 – Article Critique.docx – Alternative Formats

I. Identify the research problem, hypothesis, and significance
A. What is the research problem?
B. What was the hypothesis?
C. What is the significance of the research?
II. Critique the validity of the underlying model of the program.
III. Describe and critique the research design employed, including:
A. The specific type of research design employed
B. The methods to gather information, including variables and measurements
C. The sample and respondents employed.
IV. Critique the design, results, and conclusions in terms of
Internal validity (be sure to identify and assess all eight threats)
External validity (identify and assess all six threats)
V. Provide at least four specific suggestions for improving the research design.
Be sure to review the detailed guidelines (page 1) and example article critique (page 2) in the attached word document/
Use the following text books as a reference however I don’t have a digital copy of them:
Johnson, G. (2014). Research Methods for Public Administrators. 3rd Edition. Routledge. ISBN: 978-0765637147.
Creswell, J. W., and Creswell, D. (2018). Research Design Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. 5th Edition, Sage. ISBN: 978-1-5063-8670-6
Dillman, D. A., Smyth, J. D., Christian, L. M. (2014). Internet, phone, mail and mixed-mode surveys: The tailored design method. 4th Edition. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. ISBN: 978-1118456149.

GOV 603 WEEK 2 DISCUSSION

Faith Integration
Please watch the following video on “Applying the Scriptures to Coursework,” by Dr. Corne Bekker, Dean of Regent University’s School of Divinity.
Also, read this short article on “A Biblical Perspective for Research” by Dr. John Wesley Taylor V.
In this video, Dr. Bekker compares and contrasts purely academic (secular) scholarship and what he terms Ecclesial Scholarship (minutes 15-20 approximately in the presentation).
He notes that ecclesial scholarship is measured and evaluated quite differently than we might evaluate academic scholarship. Specifically, ecclesial scholarship is:
1. Measured by primary engagement with Scripture
2. Written to a believing community and
3. Measured by its ability to renew the church
He argues as well that everyone who practices Christian scholarship is a theologian, regardless of their discipline. This is because Christian scholars are always reading the Bible, being affected by the Bible, and thinking about the connections between their academic discipline and God’s teachings to us.
As you watch his talk (take good notes), prepare some answers to these questions in this week’s discussion forum.
Compare and contrast the standards which Johnson and Creswell & Creswell have iterated for academic scholarship (including causal relationships, reliability, prediction, replicability, falsifiability, verification, etc.) Do you feel that these standards for academic scholarship are at odds with, or complementary to the standards which Dr. Bekker describes for ecclesial scholarship?
What are the normative commitments which Dr. Bekker implies that an ecclesial scholar should have? Are these normative commitments (what you are attempting to prove or to do or change?) at odds with, or complementary to the project which one has outlined for oneself within a purely academic context? In other words, does having a set of normative Christian commitments pose an issue for the academic integrity of your scholarship in some way?
At minute 22:30, Dr. Bekker tells us that “Christ is the only answer to the problems that we face in this world.” In what ways is Christ the only answer to a public policy problem which you have identified as interesting to you as an RSG student? Is there a particular scriipture that speaks to you when you think about the public policy problem which interests you? (Remember, YOU ARE A THEOLOGIAN!!)
What is the relationship between Christian thought and action as spelled out by Dr. Bekker? Is this the same or different from the relationship between academic/research thought and action? What do you think?
Use the following links:
https://www.journalofadventisteducation.org/2019.81.3.2
https://www.regent.edu/video/home.cfm?address=8001172

Writer’s Choice

Congress appears to have ample constitutional authority and means to oversee federal administration. Yet the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 and GPRA Modernization Act suggest it is not satisfied with agency performance. If you were called upon to make recommendations to Congress for better oversight and stronger influence over the agencies, what would you suggest? Keep in mind, your audience is Congress, and you are, in a sense, rating them on their own performance. Also, don’t start with the assumption that agencies are inherently poor performers, no matter their mission. Think about the flow of authority, arising in the Constitution, then to Congress, and finally, delegated to the executive branch by statute…
My idea if it will help is
have a long term and short term plan both
Execution of the plan should be strictly done
benchmark some good practices being followed in other countries and states
Based on benchmarking, try to improve existing practices.

THE LOGIC OF INFERENCE: THE SCIENCE OF UNCERTAINTY

“All models are wrong. Some models are useful. ” —George E. P. Box (1919–2013) Statistician
Describing and explaining social phenomena is a complex task. Box’s quote speaks to the point that it is a near impossible undertaking to fully explain such systems—physical or social—using a set of models. Yet even though these models contain some error, the models nevertheless assist with illuminating how the world works and advancing social change.
The competent quantitative researcher understands the balance between making statements related to theoretical understanding of relationships and recognizing that our social systems are of such complexity that we will always have some error. The key, for the rigorous researcher, is recognizing and mitigating the error as much as possible.
As a graduate student and consumer of research, you must recognize the error that might be present within your research and the research of others.
QUESTION:
Write a very brief descriiption (2–3 sentences) of the article (Knowledge Needs in the Non-profit Sector) and address the following:
1. Describe how you think the research in the article is useful (e.g., what population is it helping? What problem is it solving?).
2. Using Y=f(X) +E notation, identify the independent and dependent variables.
3. How might the research models presented be wrong? What types of error might be present in the reported research?
Be sure to support your essay with reference to the attached Learning Resources and other scholarly evidence in APA Style.

Urban Development of Almaty

-Historical analysis of urban development of Almaty (Kazakhstan)
-How did the political economy of the city shaped the city that we see today?
-Soviet era governance, urban planning, industrialization.
-Post independence: changes, governance, privatization, urban development
-Urban Environmental Health: current problems, air quality, urban mobility, transportation, effects on public health and the environment