Basic Methods of Policy Analysis and Planning

by Patton, Carl; Sawicki, David

• ISBN13: 9780130609489
• ISBN10: 013060948X
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1993-01-22
• Publisher: Pearson

Summary

The book focuses on basic, quickly applied policy analysis methods that can be used to resolve policy problems. There are relevant, real life examples used throughout.

Table of Contents

Preface	xi
PART ONE: METHODS	1	(397)
1 The Need for Simple Methods of Policy Analysis and Planning	1	(20)
Quick, Basic Policy Analysis	2	(4)
Learning the Methods of Policy Analysis and Planning	6	(2)
Practical Principles for Beginning Policy Analysts	8	(10)
Summary	18	(1)
Organization of the Book	19	(1)
Glossary	19	(1)
Exercises	20	(1)
2 The Policy Analysis Process	21	(53)
Types of Policy Analysis	23	(3)
The Role of the Analyst	26	(4)
Ethical Considerations	30	(16)
Values in Analysis	32	(1)
Ethical Analysis	33	(6)
Ethical Principles and Rules	39	(3)
Guidelines for Professional Conduct	42	(4)
The Analytic Process	46	(6)
Basic Policy Analysis in Six Steps	52	(12)
Step One: Verify, Define, and Detail the Problem	54	(3)
Step Two: Establish Evaluation Criteria	57	(1)
Step Three: Identify Alternative Policies	58	(2)
Step Four: Evaluate Alternative Policies	60	(1)
Step Five: Display and Distinguish among Alternative Policies	61	(2)
Step Six: Monitor and Evaluate the Implemented Policy	63	(1)
Summary	64	(2)
Glossary	66	(1)
Exercises	66	(1)
Source Material	67	(1)
Exhibits	68	(6)
3 Crosscutting Methods	74	(73)
Identifying and Gathering Data	77	(20)
Sources of Data	78	(3)
Literature Review	81	(1)
Library Search Methods	82	(2)
Getting Started	84	(3)
Federal Government Information	87	(4)
Legal Searches	91	(4)
Management Records	95	(1)
Observation	96	(1)
Interviewing for Policy Information	97	(8)
The Investigative Approach	98	(1)
Structure and Closure	99	(1)
Choosing the Interviewees	100	(1)
Making Contact	101	(1)
Conducting the Interview	102	(2)
Using Your Time Efficiently	104	(1)
Quick Surveys	105	(4)
Types of Surveys	107	(1)
Survey Methods	107	(1)
Questionnaire Construction	108	(1)
Sample Selection	109	(1)
Evaluating Data and Information	109	(4)
Estimating Data Quality	110	(1)
Document Analysis	111	(2)
Determining Truth from Interviews	113	(1)
Basic Data Analysis	113	(21)
Descriptive Data Analysis	114	(1)
Graphic Techniques	115	(9)
Tables	124	(3)
Maps	127	(2)
Descriptive Statistics	129	(1)
Association or Correlation	130	(3)
Measures of Significance	133	(1)
Communicating the Analysis	134	(7)
Getting It on Paper	136	(1)
Using Graphics to Communicate	137	(1)
Organizing the Report	138	(2)
In-Person Communication	140	(1)
Summary	141	(1)
Glossary	141	(2)
Exercises	143	(4)
4 Verifying, Defining, and Detailing the Problem	147	(39)
Identifying and Defining Problems	148	(3)
Developing the Problem Statement	151	(3)
Back-of-the-Envelope Calculations	154	(4)
Quick Decision Analysis	158	(5)
Creation of Valid Operational Definitions	163	(5)
Political Analysis	168	(8)
The Issue Paper versus First-Cut Analysis	176	(2)
Summary	178	(1)
Glossary	178	(1)
Exercises	179	(7)
5 Establishing Evaluation Criteria	186	(41)
The Process of Establishing Evaluation Criteria	188	(3)
Several Important Economic Concepts	191	(16)
The Free Market Model	192	(2)
Costs	194	(1)
Benefits	195	(1)
Standing	196	(3)
Externalities	199	(1)
Elasticity	200	(1)
Marginal Analysis	201	(3)
Equity	204	(3)
Commonly Employed Evaluation Criteria	207	(12)
Technical Feasibility	208	(2)
Economic and Financial Possibility	210	(4)
Political Viability	214	(4)
Administrative Operability	218	(1)
Summary	219	(1)
Glossary	220	(2)
Exercises	222	(5)
6 Identifying Alternatives	227	(30)
Sources of Alternatives	231	(2)
Searching for Alternatives	233	(12)
Researched Analysis and Experimentation	234	(1)
No-Action (Status Quo) Analysis	235	(2)
Quick Surveys	237	(1)
Literature Review	238	(1)
Comparison of Real-World Experiences	238	(1)
Passive Collection and Classification	238	(1)
Development of Typologies	239	(1)
Analogy, Metaphor, and Synectics	239	(2)
Brainstorming	241	(3)
Comparison with an Ideal	244	(1)
Creating Alternatives	245	(6)
Feasible Manipulations	246	(2)
Modifying Existing Solutions	248	(3)
Pitfalls to Avoid	251	(2)
Summary	253	(2)
Glossary	255	(1)
Exercises	255	(2)
7 Evaluating Alternative Policies	257	(75)
Forecasting Methods	258	(17)
Extrapolative Techniques	260	(8)
Theoretical Forecasting Techniques: Modeling	268	(5)
Intuitive Forecasting Techniques	273	(2)
Evaluation Methods	275	(26)
Discounting	276	(4)
Three Measures of Efficiency	280	(4)
Sensitivity Analysis	284	(5)
Allocation Formulas	289	(6)
Quick Decision Analysis Revisited	295	(6)
Political Analysis	301	(14)
Political Feasibility Analysis	302	(5)
Implementation Analysis	307	(6)
Scenario Writing	313	(2)
Uncertainty	315	(2)
Summary	317	(1)
Glossary	318	(1)
Exercises	319	(13)
8 Displaying Alternatives and Distinguishing among Them	332	(30)
Problems in Selecting the Best Policy	333	(2)
Conflict between Individual and Collective Rationality	335	(2)
The Problem of Multiple Criteria	337	(2)
Several Methods of Dealing with Multiple Criteria	339	(1)
Basic Comparison Methods	339	(10)
Paired Comparisons	341	(1)
Satisficing	341	(1)
Lexicographic Ordering	341	(1)
Nondominated Alternatives Method	341	(2)
Equivalent-Alternatives Method	343	(4)
Standard-Alternative Method	347	(2)
Matrix (Scorecard) Display Systems	349	(4)
Goeller Scorecard	350	(1)
Alternative-Consequence Matrix	351	(2)
Other Matrix Methods	353	(2)
Goals-Achievement Matrix	353	(1)
Variations on GAM	354	(1)
Planning Balance Sheet	354	(1)
Which Matrix Method Should Be Used?	355	(1)
Weights, Rating Systems, and Index Numbers	355	(2)
Summary	357	(2)
Glossary	359	(1)
Exercises	360	(2)
9 Monitoring and Evaluating Implemented Policies	362	(36)
Types of Policy Failures	365	(3)
The Policy Evaluation Continuum	368	(1)
Types of Ex-Post Evaluation	369	(17)
Before-and-After Comparisons	376	(1)
With-and-Without Comparisons	376	(1)
Actual-versus-Planned Performance Comparisons	377	(1)
Experimental Models	378	(1)
Quasi-Experimental Models	379	(5)
Generalizing from Quasi-Experimental Designs	384	(1)
Cost-Oriented Evaluation Approaches	385	(1)
Which Method Should Be Used?	386	(2)
Principles of Quick Evaluation	388	(5)
Summary	393	(1)
Glossary	394	(1)
Exercises	395	(3)
PART TWO: CASES	398	(65)
10 Downtown Development	398	(3)
Introduction	398	(1)
The Assignment	399	(1)
Background Information	399	(2)
11 Defending against Accusations of Prejudice	401	(10)
Introduction	401	(1)
The Assignment	401	(1)
Background Information	402	(1)
The Data and Data Problems	403	(1)
Learning Objectives	403	(1)
Exhibits	403	(8)
12 Solid-Waste Collection Methods	411	(10)
Introduction	411	(1)
The Assignment	412	(1)
Exhibits	412	(9)
13 Campus Parking Policies	421	(14)
Introduction	421	(1)
The Assignment	422	(1)
Background Information	422	(4)
Guidelines for Analysis	426	(1)
Final Report	427	(1)
Source Material	427	(1)
Exhibits	428	(7)
14 Emergency Aid for Home Fuel: Developing an Allocation Formula	435	(11)
Introduction	435	(1)
The Assignment	436	(1)
The Specific Tasks	437	(1)
Source Material	438	(1)
Exhibits	438	(8)
15 A Tax on Paper Diapers	446	(4)
Introduction	446	(1)
The Assignment	447	(1)
Underlying Themes	447	(1)
Learning Objectives	448	(1)
Source Material	448	(1)
Exhibit	449	(1)
16 Public-Private Development: Underground Atlanta	450	(13)
Introduction	450	(1)
The Assignment	451	(1)
Issues and Actors	451	(1)
Exhibits	452	(11)
Bibliography	463	(12)
Index	475