Utopian/dystopian thought experiments and the potential for a new strategy of inquiry in public administration | Posted on:2009-05-01 | Degree:Ph.D | Type:Dissertation | University:Florida Atlantic University | Candidate:Pressley, Cindy L | Full Text:PDF | GTID:1446390002491754 | Subject:Political science | Abstract/Summary: | | The purpose behind this dissertation is the creation, development, and illustration of a new strategy of inquiry in public administration. This new strategy of inquiry is a utopian/dystopian thought experiment. A utopian/dystopian thought experiment should provide its user with a way to develop a new/different viewpoint with which to examine an administrative activity. A researcher begins with an original viewpoint and should then develop a new/different viewpoint, a utopian/dystopian viewpoint, by engaging in a utopian/dystopian thought experiment. A utopian/dystopian thought experiment is developed in this dissertation by bringing together elements from utopian literature and scientific thought experiment literature using a public administration point of view. The research approach used in this dissertation is a three-phase process that involves reviewing and connecting pertinent literatures, using imagination and the process of writing to create a utopian/dystopian thought experiment, and illustrating and examining a utopian/dystopian thought experiment in public administration. In this dissertation, I seek to create a utopian/dystopian thought experiment as a new strategy of inquiry that is developed specifically for public administration. A utopian/dystopian thought experiment should provide an additional tool to the researcher who is seeking to expand the viewpoints through which the researcher can examine administrative activities. | Keywords/Search Tags: | Utopian/dystopian thought experiment, New strategy, Public administration, Inquiry, Dissertation, Viewpoint | | Related items |
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