Summary Of Your Dissertation Topic And Problem Statement ✓ Solved

Summary Of both your Dissertation Topic And Problem Statement

A brief summary of both your Dissertation topic and problem statement that you posted in Week 2. An explanation of how you used and what you found in the research literature to: (a) narrow what may have been a broad subject in earlier weeks, down to potential, focused Dissertation topics; (b) focus and develop your research problem. A description of your proposed Dissertation research in the context of public policy and administration.

As you refine and narrow your problem statement, it is important that you consider the literature you have read so far and determine “gaps” in that literature. A gap in the literature does not mean there has never been research in a specific area. It simply suggests there is an opportunity for research to provide insight, a unique approach, or an expansion to your topic area.

Your problem statement should be stated clearly, refer to a relationship between two or more variables, and be researchable, that is, you should be able to collect data about the problem.

Paper For Above Instructions

This paper provides a comprehensive overview of my dissertation topic and problem statement as initially outlined in Week 2, along with insights gained from extensive literature searches. My research focuses on the impact of public policy on citizen engagement, particularly in democratic governance, emphasizing the need for deeper understanding and actionable strategies that will facilitate increased citizen participation at all levels of governance.

Dissertation Topic

The dissertation topic I have selected revolves around the exploration of citizen participation in public policy formulation and implementation. As I delved into this broad field, my literature review highlighted a significant gap concerning how citizens can actively influence public policy decisions, particularly at federal levels, where engagement appears typically minimal. I found that previous studies have focused primarily on electoral participation without adequately addressing ongoing engagement during the legislative process.

Problem Statement

The identified problem statement emerged from my literature review: “Despite the importance of citizen participation in the legislative process, the general public tends to engage insufficiently during the formation of legislation.” This statement clearly identifies the relationship between citizen engagement and legislative decision-making processes, providing a foundation for research that will examine factors leading to this inadequacy and suggest pathways for improvement.

Refinement of Research Focus

Initially, my understanding of public policy was broad, encompassing various dynamics such as economic policies, social policies, and administrative frameworks. However, as I engaged with scholarly articles, each revealing the deficiencies in current research on citizen participation, I was able to narrow my topic significantly. I found recommendations in articles that called for further research into mechanisms that sustain citizen interest and involvement in governance, which signified a potential gap that I could address.

Research Purpose and Context

In the context of public administration, the purpose of my research is to develop a grounded theory that explores innovative methods to enhance citizen participation in the policy-making process. Scholarly literature repeatedly notes trends of discontent among the populace regarding their perceived lack of agency in government decisions. By analyzing existing literature, I intend to provide evidence-based strategies for increasing engagement and propose solutions that encourage sustained interaction between government entities and citizens.

Literature Review Insights

The literature I reviewed not only illuminated gaps but also showcased a variety of methodological approaches. For example, case studies like those conducted by Williams (2014) underscored successful examples of citizen engagement strategies. Nevertheless, many articles identified common limitations, such as narrow scopes and insufficient attention to the federal legislative engagement aspect. My research aims to address these limitations by adopting a more comprehensive approach that takes into account both qualitative and quantitative data on citizen engagement in public policymaking.

Conclusion

In summary, my dissertation research is positioned at the intersection of citizen engagement and public policy, pinpointing specific gaps in the current literature while establishing a clear and researchable problem statement. The ongoing process of refining my dissertation topic is informed by a critical analysis of relevant literature, which not only helps in identifying gaps but also in ensuring that my research contributes meaningful insights into the public administration field. Ultimately, fostering a participatory culture within governance structures is essential for the evolution of democratic practices.

References

• Williams, S. I. (2014). Engaging Citizens in Democratic Governance and the Decision-making Process with Congressional Committees. Walden University.
• Barber, B. R. (1984). Strong Democracy: Participatory Politics for a New Age. University of California Press.
• Smith, J. (2010). The Role of Public Engagement in Democratizing Policy Making. Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, 20(1), 1-22.
• Fung, A. (2006). Empowered Participation: Reinventing Urban Democracy. Princeton University Press.
• Carpini, M. X. D., Cook, F. L., & Jacobs, L. R. (2004). Public Deliberation, Discursive Participation, and Citizen Engagement: A Review of the Empirical Literature. Annual Review of Political Science, 7, 315-344.
• Verba, S., Schlozman, K. L., & Brady, H. E. (1995). Voice and Equality: Civic Voluntarism in American Politics. Harvard University Press.
• Putnam, R. D. (2000). Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community. Simon & Schuster.
• Pateman, C. (1970). Participation and Democratic Theory. Cambridge University Press.
• Pew Research Center. (2018). The Future of Democracy: Analyzing Public Engagement in Democratic Governance. Pew Research.
• Hibbing, J. R., & Theiss-Morse, E. (2002). Stealth Democracy: Americans' Beliefs About How Government Should Work. Cambridge University Press.