Reflecting on the Role of Literature in Qualitative Public Administration Research

Abstract

When undertaking qualitative research, public administration scholars must walk a thin line between being theoretically sensitive and imposing preconceived ideas on their work. This article identifies opportunities and pitfalls in using literature in qualitative public administration research. Although the opportunities are already well known within the discipline, the pitfalls remain underexposed. The authors identify potential pitfalls by using insights from the grounded theory approach. To illustrate how opportunities can be optimally exploited, and pitfalls avoided, they provide examples of high-quality public administration research. Finally, the authors derive recommendations for public administration scholars when using literature in their qualitative research. These recommendations can help improve qualitative methods in the public administration discipline.

Harnessing Sustainable Motivation: A Grounded Theory Exploration of Public Service Motivation in Local Governments of the State of Oregon, United States

“…There are varied arguments regarding the role of literature in grounded theory, and the opinions are somewhat conflicting. A majority of scholars, including Glaser and Strauss [68], Strauss and Corbin [69], and Charmaz ( [70,71] have advised being careful in the use of the existing literature, as it may pollute and overshadow any new and/or unique discovery that could be drawn from the data and the research, and that may be precluded under the influence of preconceived notions [72].…”

Assessing Qualitative Studies in Public Administration Research

“…More recent reviews of qualitative research practice are narrower in scope, focusing on specific methods and interpretive dimensions (Cappellaro ; Gains ; Jeong ; Tummers and Karsten ). Altogether, the greatest agreement among reviewers—past and recent—has been about the insufficient disclosure in reporting research details.…”

Literature review and challenging research agenda on politicians’ use of accounting information

“…Without denying the importance of these theories, some other theories are suggested here because they potentially enable an understanding of how decision-making by politicians drives their accounting information use. Theories should do justice to the complexities and richness of empirical realities, which is an implicit plea to refrain from views that assume straightforward causalities among abstract constructs (see also Tummers and Karsten, 2012). In decision-making, politicians often face complexities, for example in choosing among various options to solve a problem or in adopting the proper information sources.…”