Analyzing Social Policy Multiple Perspectives for Critically Understanding and Evaluating Policy

by O'Connor, Mary Katherine; Netting, F. Ellen

• ISBN13: 9780470452035
• ISBN10: 047045203X
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-10-26
• Publisher: Wiley

Summary

This unique volume outlines the different frameworks of policy analysis and how readers can use research and critical thinking skills to understand the different models from their formation and development to implementation. Approaching the topic from an analytical and research-based perspective, the authors help readers make better, informed choices for successfully dealing with the complexities of social policy. Social workers, public administrators, nonprofit managers and upper level students of these fields will find here the tools necessary for understanding how social policies are analyzed, conceived, and ultimately applied.

Author Biography

Mary Katherine O'Connor, MSW, PhD, is a Professor in the School of Social Work at Virginia Commonwealth University where she has taught in the MSW and PhD programs for over twenty years. She has authored or coauthored numerous books, chapters, and journal articles in the areas of public child welfare practice, services to street children, and qualitative research method development. F. Ellen Netting, MSSW, PhD, is a Professor of Social Work and Samuel S. Wurtzel Chair at Virginia Commonwealth University where she teaches in the BSW, MSW, and PhD programs. She has authored or coauthored numerous books, chapters, and journal articles in the areas of health and human service delivery issues for frail elders, as well as nonprofit management concerns.

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. xi
Preface	p. xv
Acknowledgments	p. xxiii
An Overview of Social Policy Analysis	p. 1
Necessary Groundwork	p. 2
Identifying Definitions and Forms of Policy	p. 10
Recognizing Levels and Scope of Social Policies	p. 19
Conceptualizing Policy Analysis	p. 28
Conclusion	p. 34
Discussion Questions	p. 35
Thinking of Policy Analysis as Research	p. 36
The Role of Research in Guiding Policy Analysis	p. 37
What Constitutes Research?	p. 41
Focusing the Policy Analysis	p. 46
An Expansive View of Policy Analysis Research	p. 53
Conclusion	p. 60
Discussion Questions	p. 61
Case Study	p. 63
Service, Engagement, and Volunteerism: What's the Policy All About?	p. 63
Rational Policy Analysis	p. 75
Reason and Rationality	p. 76
Rational Assumptions of the Positivist/Postpositivist Paradigm	p. 78
Rational Models of Policy Analysis	p. 79
How to Assess the Degree to Which an Analysis Approach is Rational	p. 99
Conclusion	p. 102
Discussion Questions	p. 103
Applications of Rational Policy Analysis	p. 104
Using the Chambers and Wedel Policy/Program Analytical Framework	p. 106
Using Jansson's Six-Step Policy Analysis Framework	p. 111
Using Huttman's Policy Analysis Model	p. 115
Using Holcomb and Nightingale's Implementation Analysis Model	p. 123
Using Segal and Bruzuzy's Questions for Social Welfare Policy Analysis	p. 128
Discussion	p. 134
Concluding Remarks About Rational Policy Analysis	p. 135
Discussion Questions	p. 136
Nonrational Policy Analysis	p. 137
Reason and Nonrationality	p. 137
Nonrational Assumptions of the Interpretivist/Constructivist Paradigm	p. 139
Nonrational Approaches to Policy Analysis	p. 142
How to Assess the Degree to Which an Analysis Approach is Nonrational	p. 165
Conclusion	p. 168
Discussion Questions	p. 169
Applications in Nonrational Policy Analysis	p. 170
Using Stone's Policy Paradox Approach	p. 172
Using Kingdon's Policy Primeval Soup or Garbage Can Approach	p. 182
Using Prigmore and Atherton's Policy Analysis Approach	p. 188
Using Guba's Policy-in-Action Approach	p. 193
Using an Impact-Analysis Approach	p. 197
Discussion	p. 202
Conclusion	p. 204
Discussion Questions	p. 204
Critical Policy Analysis	p. 206
Reason in Radicality	p. 207
Assumptions of the Critical Paradigm	p. 208
Critical Approaches to Policy Analysis	p. 210
How to Assess the Degree to Which an Analysis Approach is Critical	p. 232
Conclusion	p. 236
Discussion Questions	p. 237
Applications in Critical Policy Analysis	p. 238
Using Marx's Historical or Dialectical Method	p. 241
Analyzing Cultural Responsiveness in Policy Formulation at the Organizational Level	p. 248
Using Lejano's Normative Policy Analysis	p. 254
Using Moser's Approach to Gender Policy Implementation	p. 260
Using Schiele's Afrocentric Framework of Policy Analysis	p. 265
Discussion	p. 271
Conclusion	p. 273
Discussion Questions	p. 273
Epilogue	p. 275
References	p. 285
About the Authors	p. 293
Author Index	p. 295
Subject Index	p. 299
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