The Case for Gauging as a Research Purpose in Public Administration: Connecting Purpose, Frameworks, Design, and Norms in Applied Research

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This article proposes “gauging” as an unrecognized and useful research purpose for public administration. Unlike an explanatory research purpose, which uses an experimental logic and hypotheses, gauging incorporates a logic of rating and frameworks like standards. It is used in normative assessments such as accreditation, process evaluation, and regulatory policy. We argue that it should be part of public administration’s research tradition because it is widespread in public administration, links to applied research and practice, provides summative and formative assessment, connects evidence to the logic of law, and draws on pragmatism as a link to theory and mixed methods.