WINTER 2012 - National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and ...

Sharing Student Research with the World
log analysis does not reveal whether the user found the material valuable or
whether it was used (Jansen, 2006). Hence, the value of data lies in overall
trends and comparisons, not snapshots. Web log records are used to reveal
the activity of “packs of users, rather than individuals, and to read the broad
outlines of their information fingerprints” (Nicholas et al., 1999, p. 268). Within
those broad outlines, this study proposes to find meaning. Perceived as a user
satisfaction indicator, the full-text download is widely applied by the information
community in studying the use of online documents (Nicholas et al., 2008).
We isolated two categories that explain full-text downloads (content and
search engine optimization). In other words, something about the content of
the paper makes it more likely to be downloaded. In addition, the paper may
have a characteristic that makes it more likely for a search engine to find it and,
therefore, more likely for a user to download.
Content Factors
The first content factor expected to contribute to download activity is
level of government—particularly “state government.” Over 40% of MPA
students work for the state government. 7 These ARPs represent a rich source
of empirical data on a very large and influential state (GDP ranked second).
The next set of content factors deal with the theory and methods used by the
papers. Explanatory research tests hypotheses and examines causal links; and many
consider it to be the most sophisticated kind of scholarship. Survey research is used
extensively in the public sector and often provides data that can be generalized to a
larger population. Hence we expect that ARPs, which are explanatory or use survey
research, are more likely to be downloaded. Finally, Texas State University ARPs
have won national and local awards. Awards are a measure of quality, and therefore
one would expect these papers were downloaded more often.
Level of government/sector.
For insight into what influences ARP students’ research focus, Shields (1998,
p. 205) offers “Interest and experience are usually the source of the research
topic. Since most ARP students have full time jobs in the public sector, their
research question often emerges from a work-related issue.” Given the proximity
of Texas State University to the state capital, it is not surprising that so many
ARPs have a state government focus. Texas State University may fill a void in
research about Texas. Texas has an economy and population that rival those of
many countries. Research on state government is limited, and state government
is a potentially large market for this scholarship. Hence:
H1: Research focused on state government positively affects the
number of full-text downloads for ARPs.
Journal of Public Affairs Education 165