User Guides
A staple of the academic world are the classic guides to the literature, which are usually book-length publications that offer the new and the experienced researcher, an overview of all the material worth having in a particular subject area. Public administration is no exception. Search in academic library catalogs under the following terms, to find book-length guides, literature and even bibliographies (lists of selected books, often accompanied by descriptions and annotations): PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION – BIBLIOGRAPHY.
Classic Print Guides
Check for these in a library near you. Bear in mind that many sources have moved online and that online information sources change their content and especially their interfaces very quickly.
Caiden, G. E. (1983). American public administration: a bibliographical guide to the literature. New York: Garland Pub..
Cherry, V. R., & Holzer, M. (1992). Public administration research guide. New York: Garland Pub..
Cutchin, D. A. (1981). Guide to public administration. Itasca, Ill.: F.E. Peacock Publishers.
Gladden, E. N. (1972). A student's guide to public administration. London: Staples Press.
Holzer, M. (2007).
Teaching resources guide for public affairs and administration. Washington, D.C.: National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration.
McCurdy, H. E. (1986). Public administration: a bibliographic guide to the literature. New York: M. Dekker.
Public administration. (1996). Denton, Tex.: University of North Texas Libraries.
Simpson, A. E. (1976). Guide to library research in public administration. New York: Center for Productive Public Management, John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
Online Guides
There are additional types of user guides such as the online guides that are built by librarians and scholars to help individuals research. Many of the guides by librarians can be found through a commercial site,
LibGuides. LibGuides supplies specialized content management systems to libraries and colleges. Searches of the guides can be limited to academic or special libraries if desired.
An alternative way to find an online library guide is to select the library of interest and then explore for subject guides about public administration. For content by scholars: identify their name, institution and department to search for teaching materials and other resources. A wide array of information and expertise is freely shared on the internet.