A paradigmatic view of contemporary public administration research: An empirical test

This article offers an empirical articulation of paradigmatic views that guide research in contemporary public administration. Based on the findings, the authors argue that the debate on whether there is an intellectual core in public administration is becoming less relevant. What is more important from this point on is public administration scholars' self-consciousness and better articulation of these existing paradigms. A self-aware normal science practice in public administration offers us a clearer research focus, a sharper sensitivity for recognizing anomalies, and thus a better chance for advancing public administration theories.