A Practical Guide For Policy Analysis: The Eightfold Path To More Effective Problem Solving

by Bardach, Eugene

• ISBN13: 9781568029238
• ISBN10: 1568029233
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-11-01
• Publisher: Cq Pr

Table of Contents

PREFACE	ix
INTRODUCTION	xiii
The Eightfold Path	xiv
Overview of the Book	xvii
PART I THE EIGHTFOLD PATH	1	(60)
Step One: Define the Problem	1	(9)
Step Two: Assemble Some Evidence	10	(5)
Step Three: Construct the Alternatives	15	(10)
Step Four: Select the Criteria	25	(10)
Step Five: Project the Outcomes	35	(12)
Step Six: Confront the Trade-offs	47	(5)
Step Seven: Decide!	52	(1)
Step Eight: Tell Your Story	53	(8)
PART II ASSEMBLING EVIDENCE	61	(30)
Getting Started	62	(2)
Locating Relevant Sources	64	(7)
Gaining Access and Engaging Assistance	71	(5)
Conducting a Policy Research Interview	76	(8)
Using Language to Characterize and Calibrate	84	(1)
Protecting Credibility	85	(3)
Strategic Dilemmas of Policy Research	88	(3)
PART III "SMART (BEST) PRACTICES" RESEARCH: UNDERSTANDING AND MAKING USE OF WHAT LOOK LIKE GOOD IDEAS FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE	91	(16)
Develop Realistic Expectations	91	(1)
Analyze "Smart Practices"	92	(5)
Observe the "Practice"	97	(4)
Describe Generic Vulnerabilities	101	(1)
But Will It Work Here?	102	(3)
Back to the Eightfold Path	105	(2)
APPENDIX A SPECIMEN OF A REAL-WORLD POLICY ANALYSIS	107	(16)
Preface	107	(1)
Summary	108	(15)
APPENDIX B THINGS GOVERNMENTS DO	123	(10)
Taxes	123	(1)
Regulation	124	(1)
Subsidies and Grants	125	(1)
Service Provision	126	(1)
Agency Budgets	127	(1)
Information	127	(1)
The Structure of Private Rights	128	(1)
The Framework of Economic Activity	129	(1)
Education and Consultation	129	(1)
Financing and Contracting	130	(1)
Bureaucratic and Political Reforms	131	(2)
APPENDIX C SEMANTIC TIPS: A SUMMARY	133	(8)
Defining the Problem	133	(1)
Assembling the Evidence	134	(1)
Constructing the Alternatives	135	(1)
Selecting the Criteria	136	(1)
Projecting the Outcomes	136	(1)
Confronting the Trade-offs	137	(1)
Interviewing	138	(1)
Doing "Smart Practices" Research	139	(2)
REFERENCES	141	(2)
INDEX	143