THE SIX-DIRECTIONAL COMPASS OF RESEARCH PARADIGMS IN THE CONTEXT OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
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Abstract
This academic article presents the contemporary development of knowledge in Public Administration and Social Science research through the “Six-Direction Compass” paradigm, designed to clearly delineate research philosophical positions. Particular emphasis is placed on Critical Theory and Constructivism, which aim to analyze power relations and discourse within public organizations—dimensions that distinguish this field from business research. Regarding research approaches, the “Circular Approach” has been developed to integrate deductive and inductive methods, aligning with the dynamics of public policy, complemented by a “Reflexive Approach” that accounts for the researcher’s values and social positioning.
Research strategies are tailored to the public sector context, such as Policy Research and Participatory Action Research, which prioritize political and social dimensions over conventional business research. In terms of methodological choices, the focus is on “Multi-level Integration” and “Interdisciplinary Integration” to explain complex phenomena ranging from individual behavior to macro-level institutional structures. Furthermore, time horizons have evolved to include “Policy Cycle Tracking” and “Cross-temporal Comparative Studies” to analyze long-term trends and transformations. Finally, specialized techniques—including Stakeholder Analysis, Social Network Analysis, and Discourse Analysis—are employed to comprehensively understand the structures and norms that drive public policy.
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