Research Paradigms in Public Administration

The term paradigm has become a central issue in philosophy of science. increasing attention to paradigm in public administration, as a branch of social science, is also highlighted. this paper attempts to analysis seven paradigms in public administration research and to study ontological, epistemological, methodological, rhetorical and axiological assumptions of the each paradigm. finally, we briefly offer some potential areas of public administration that can be informed by seven research paradigm.