Patricia M. Shields
Patricia M. Shields is a Professor of Political and Director of the Master of Public Administration Program at Texas State University. Her recent book "A Playbook for Research Methods: Integrating Conceptual Frameworks and Project Management" uses football and football coaching as a metaphor for writing research papers. Using methods explicated in the "Playbook" her students' papers have won national awards, are cited widely and have been downloaded a million times. She developed her approach as she applied John Dewey's theory of inquiry to her field (Public Administration). She has won numerous teaching awards including one from the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (2002). She has published widely in scholarly journals. Her interest in the equity of the draft during the Vietnam war led her to examine the interface between the military and society. Currently she is the editor-in-chief of Armed Forces & Society (ranked 10 in military studies).
