In this course, you will conduct an interview to gather information for the assignments. The assignment scenario and interview guidelines are provided in the document. Also, please read the that shows how the guidelines apply to the assignments in this course and aids in the planning of questions for the interview. Briefly, Strayer University interview guidelines include the following:
- The purpose of the assignment is to train students in interview/research methods, not to develop or contribute to research that can be applied to situations beyond that studied or that is created to share with others outside of the local academic setting.
- No publication of projects containing the results of or information from the interviews is allowed, including publication in social media, blogs, or the Internet generally. The interview findings may only be shared in the class.
- When presenting the results of their interviews to their instructor and/or classmates, students may not disclose personally identifiable information about an interviewee, unless they have received written permission from the interviewee as verified by their instructor.
- All interviewees must be at least 18 years old.
Rationale and Analysis for Agency Selected
Preparation
Scenario for Assignments
Please note, the assignments in this course build upon one another.
For these assignments, you will take on the role of a consultant for a government agency. Your consulting firm has been asked by the agency to conduct background research, interview agency representatives, compile a report, and provide recommendations for improvement of their personnel management system. The first role of the consultant is to become familiar with the agency, its departments, and key actors. You will develop the assignment in four parts, submitting each to your supervisor (your professor) who will review and grade your efforts.
Interview Guidelines
Use the provided for this assignment. Read and follow the Strayer University Interview guidelines included in the document.
Instructions
- Select a federal or state public agency.
- Research the literature regarding issues that involve the selected agency and public administration in general.
- Interview one representative of the agencys department for the different sections of the paper. (Interviews can be conducted in person, by phone, or by an electronic method such as email or your favorite video conferencing app.) See Guidelines for Interview Assignment at Strayer University (below).
- Write a 34 page paper, titled “Rationale and Analysis for Agency Selected.” Complete the following:
- Provide background information about the agencys key historical events, mission, and goals/objectives (title this section “Introduction”).
- Describe at least three functions of this agency, highlighting the public it serves (title this section “Agency Functions”).
- Analyze at least two current events involving the agency that might have implications for personnel management (title this section “Agency News”).
- Explain your rationale for selecting this agency with at least two justifiable reasons (title this section “Rationale for Selecting Agency”).
- Appropriately incorporate at least four quality sources. A quality source can be either popular, such as a news article, or scholarly, such as peer-reviewed works. In the case of public administration, government websites are appropriate quality resources. Note: Wikipedia, SparkNotes, and similar websites do not qualify as academic resources. Go to to conduct research.
This course requires the use of Strayer Writing Standards. For assistance and information, please refer to the Strayer Writing Standards link in the left-hand menu of your course. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
The course learning outcome associated with this assignment is:
- Analyze the key historical, legislative, and ethical dimensions of public personnel management within a federal or state agency.
