Samuel J. Yeager

Preliminary Assessment of Format-Specific Central Tendency and Leniency Error in Summated Rating Scales.

Data for 4-, 5-, and 7-position Likert formats from 292 undergraduates showed systematic error varied among formats, i.e., central tendency errors tended to increase with increasing numbers of categories and to reduce variances expected.

Testing the Applicability of the JDI to Various Demographic Groupings

The article examines the applicability of the Job Descriptive Index in measuring job satisfaction of various demographic groupings. Overall, the index seems fit for application to employees with di...

Consistency of response style across types of response formats

Effects of response style on various commonly used fixed-response formats are examined. Data suggest that Likert-type formats are relatively consistently affected by response style regardless of the number of categories in the format. Non-anchored numbers were less affected by stylistic responses, while linear formats and various forms of human faces are the most problematic. Across types, strongest correlations were obtained for the various forms of linear formats and human faces making their use problematic.

What Difference Does Having an MPA Make

Abstract The value of the master of public administration (MPA) degree is arguably a big question in public administration graduate education. This exploratory study of a national sample employs four outcome measures of master’s-level education, including return on educational investment (ROI), willingness to recommend degree program to others, salary, and satisfaction with salary. Furthermore, this research draws distinctions between MPAs and those who work for government but hold the competitive MBA degree. Additional insights are gained by restating the ROI measure as either pass/fail. Advice is derived for MPA programs. The results buttress NASPAA’s call for program assessment based on outcome measures.

NOTE ON RELIABILITY OF FIXED-RESPONSE FORMATS

Responses to various fixed test-response formats were examined for “reliability” due to systematic error; Cronbachs as up to .67 were obtained. Of the various formats tested, 4-point Likert were the least affected while various forms of lines and faces were most problematic. Results are discussed in relation to possible modification in a to account for systematic bias.

Sources of Information Used By Professionals in Government To Find Jobs: Effectiveness and Impact

The results of the National Longitudinal Study of public service professionals indicate that they employ a wide range of job information sources. Somewhat contrary to the findings of the literature reviewed for this research, greater use is made of formal rather than informal sources of job open ings. Thus, it seems that a majority of the positions (entry level and above) in the government ser vice are secured through a formalized process rather than through a reliance on friends and relatives as has generally been assumed.

Placement activities of MPA programs and their parent institutions (

Results from a survey of NASPAA member programs indicate that NASPAA programs and their parent institutions provide a wide range of placement services. Less than 60 percent of the 68 respondents had a formal placement program at the department level. One fifth of these programs do not provide training in job search techniques, a quarter do not subscribe to placement newsletters, a third do not provide assistance in resume preparation, a third do not assist their students in preparing for interviews, and two- thirds do not provide mock interviews. More than three-quarters do not publish lists of their new graduates and four-fifths do not send these lists to prospective employers. Fortunately, institutional and departmental programs supplement one another in many universities. Nevertheless, central placement agencies do not offer all of these services. Five institutions did not have a formal central placement agency. Public administration programs will improve their placement services for a variety of pragm...

Implications of Successful Career Paths of Top Local Government Finance Managers

Little is known about successful local government financial management careers and their implications for organizations. This study identifies three levels of career success - top managers, aspirants, and the plateaued status - and how these groups differ on important personal and professional characteristics. Findings reveal that top managers differ in important ways from aspirants and the plateaued. Furthermore, top managers hired from outside the organization pay more attention to the financial viability of the organization and are more willing to innovate financially than those promoted from within. Results have implications for professionals, their employing organizations, educators, and the ethics of government finance.

Trends in teaching public administration: a view from the proceedings of the national conferences on teaching public administration

This article identifies trends in research on teaching public administration. Topics receiving substantial amounts of attention within years, within multiple years, and across time are identified. Cumulation of research on certain topics is identified. This study is based on data from the Proceedings of the National Conferences on Teaching Public Administration between 1978 and 1989.

The Impact of Format-Specific Response Bias on Faces Scales

Summary This study examines the impact of subject bias in responding to faces formats, Likert formats, and other types of commonly used response formats. Students (N = 292) in a large urban university were instructed to respond randomly to several pages of contentless items. This procedure makes it possible to determine response format bias without contamination from item content. Results indicate that faces formats are subject eo considerably more positive bias than Likert and numerical formats and, consequently, that faces formats should not be used in empirical research.