Assignment:
Repond to the following discussion in one or more of the following ways:
- Ask a probing question.
- Share an insight from having read your colleague's posting.
- Offer and support an opinion.
- Validate an idea with your own experience.
- Make a suggestion.
- Expand on your colleague's posting.
Alexander, J., & Nank, R. (2009). Public-nonprofit partnership: Realizing the new public service. Administration & Society, 41(3): 364-386. doi: 10.1177/0095399709332296.
This article is qualitative, but additional insight teaches us that its introduction follows the deficiency model of an introduction, which is characterized by Creswell (2009, p. 100) as having five parts to include: (1) statement of the research problem; (2) description of studies that have addressed the problem; (3) deficiencies in the studies; (4) the significance of the study; and (5) the purpose statement. According to Newman, Ridenour, Newman & DeMarco’s (2003) typology of the purpose of research, Alexander & Nank’s (2009) research is purposed with adding to the knowledge base of interdependence theory and informing nonprofit constituencies to improve accountability of their obligation to the citizenry.
Alexander & Nank’s (2009) first two sentences are compelling. They are engaging and incite further reading by using metaphoric language such as “hollow state” and “thrown open a veritable Pandora’s box of complexities” (Alexander & Nank, 2009, p. 364). Such description makes for an interesting read with the expectation that the article will take on a creative as well as disciplinary context. This technique is what is referred to in Creswell (2009) and Harley et. al.’s (2007) annotated article as a “narrative hook.” The article proposed an issue within the first paragraph, stating that despite the need and advisement for interorganizational partnerships, previous literature provided little information on their creation and sustainment (Alexander & Nank, 2009, p. 364). In fact, the problem is framed consistent to the methodological approach. The study tested the very thing that was asserted as lacking, which is how interorganizational relationships have been created and sustained by asking CBN executives, administration and staff as well as community agencies who partnered with them about conflict resolution, establishment of trust, and how a relationship was established (Alexander & Nank, 2009). In attempt to illustrate the lack of previous literature, Alexander & Nank (2009) referred to Gazley & Brudney (2007), Salamon & Anheier (1998) and Steinburg & Young (1998). By citing these authors, they are able to identify previous deficiencies and explain the importance of the study, which is to “explain the circumstances under which a cooperative relationship…is most likely to emerge” (Alexander & Nank, 2009, p. 365). Continuing to substantiate their work, Alexander & Nank (2009) cite over ten scholarly articles in their 3-page introduction.
With regard to the purpose statement, Alexander & Nank (2009) fail to use the words “the purpose of this…;” however, it does say “this study focuses on…” (p. 364). In fact, the study failed to prescribe to Creswell’s (2009) explicit description of a qualitative purpose statement. Nevertheless, the purpose of the study is clear. From it, we know that the study is longitudinal and focuses to expand on public-nonprofit collaboration by offering additional insight through interviews and observations. These interviews and observations inquired about three things: factors most important to effective partnerships, response to ambiguity and difference, and the development of trust within the partnership (Alexander & Nank, 2009).
References:
Alexander, J., & Nank, R. (2009). Public-nonprofit partnership: Realizing the new public service. Administration & Society, 41(3): 364-386. Doi: 10.1177/0095399709332296.
Creswell, J. (2009). The use of theory. In Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. (pp. 49-71). Thousand Oaks, CAL Sage Publications.
Harley, A.E., Buckworth, J., Katz, M.L., Willis, S.K., Odoms-Young, A., & Heaney, C.A. (2007). Developing long-term physical activity participation: A grounded theory study with African American women. Health Education & Behavior, doi: 10.1177/1090198107306434. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu.
Newman, I. Ridenour, C.S., Newman, C., & DeMarco, G.M.P. (2003). A typology of research purposes and its relationship to mixed methods. In A. Tashakkori & C. Teddlie (Eds.), Handbook of mixed methods in social and behavioral research (pp. 167-188). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.