ABSTRACT
The success of a project, whether it is general policy research, a program evaluation, or policy analysis work, in no small part depends on how well a project is managed. Sometimes the mode of dissemination and intended target is extremely narrow, such as the situation where only a few executives or key staff in an organization receive the results of the evaluation or research analysis. Students in public administration, public policy or public affairs programs are well-served by developing knowledge, skills, and abilities in the area of research methods. Accomplishing each of the ethical imperatives that undergird good governance in real-world operations—economy, efficiency, effectiveness, and equity—requires evidence-based practices to inform decision making and permit their realization. Sometimes the mode of dissemination and intended target is extremely narrow, such as the situation where only a few executives or key staff in an organization receive the results of the evaluation or research analysis.
