Public Policy Test 2

What is policy analysis, and what is its primary purpose?

Policy analysis is the systematic collection and interpretation of information to clarify the causes of public problems and the potential effects of alternative policy responses. Its purpose is to inform policymakers about tradeoffs, consequences, and feasible options rather than determine a single correct solution.

How do Kraft and Furlong define policy analysis in the policymaking process?

Kraft and Furlong define policy analysis as a decision-support tool that links data, theory, and values to evaluate policy alternatives and improve government decision making.

Why is policy analysis inherently value-laden rather than purely objective?

Policy analysis involves value judgments in problem definition, choice of evaluative criteria, and interpretation of outcomes, particularly regarding efficiency, equity, and effectiveness.

Why is policy analysis not designed to definitively solve public problems?

Public problems are complex and embedded in political, institutional, and social contexts, making uncertainty and tradeoffs unavoidable.

What are the three main types of policy analysis?

The three main types are scientific policy analysis, professional policy analysis, and political policy analysis.

What characterizes scientific policy analysis?

Scientific policy analysis focuses on theory building, hypothesis testing, and generalizable knowledge using rigorous and objective methods.

What is the primary focus of professional policy analysis?

Professional policy analysis evaluates practical policy alternatives using existing research to inform real-world policymaking.

How does political policy analysis differ from other types?

Political policy analysis explicitly advocates for preferred policy outcomes and uses ideological, legal, and political arguments to influence policy debate.

What is a key limitation of professional policy analysis?

It may be too narrow due to time and resource constraints and may neglect deeper root causes of public problems.

What are the five stages of the policy analysis process?

Defining and analyzing the problem, constructing policy alternatives, choosing evaluative criteria, assessing alternatives, and concluding with recommendations.

Why is problem definition the most critical stage of policy analysis?

Problem definition determines which solutions are considered legitimate and shapes the entire direction of policy responses.

Why should policy analysts present multiple policy alternatives?

Providing multiple alternatives prevents early lock-in, allows comparison of tradeoffs, and increases decision flexibility.

What limited tools do governments use to intervene in public problems?

Regulation, taxing and spending, market mechanisms, and education.

How does policy analysis incorporate political feasibility?

It considers stakeholder preferences, ideological constraints, technical feasibility, and electoral consequences.

What defines a public problem?

A public problem is a condition widely perceived as unacceptable that requires collective or government intervention.

Why is causal analysis important in policy analysis?

Causal analysis helps distinguish symptoms from root causes, improving the likelihood of effective policy interventions.

What is the focus of the ADBI problem-solving framework?

It emphasizes solvable problems, local context, stakeholder understanding, causal mapping, and realistic scope definition.

What is a causal map?

A causal map visually illustrates the interconnected causes of a public problem to identify which factors can realistically be addressed by policy.

How does Problem-Oriented Policing define a problem?

A problem is a recurring condition that harms the community, not just individual crimes or incidents.

What is the SARA model in Problem-Oriented Policing?

The SARA model consists of Scanning, Analysis, Response, and Assessment as a structured problem-solving approach.

How does the SARA model reflect policy analysis principles?

It emphasizes systematic problem identification, data-driven analysis, alternative responses, and evaluation.

What is evaluation research in policy analysis?

Evaluation research assesses whether a policy or program is effective, cost-efficient, and reaching its intended population.

Why is stakeholder analysis essential in policy analysis?

Stakeholders can enable or block policy success, making it necessary to understand their interests, power, and influence.

What is the difference between comprehensive and incremental decision making?

Comprehensive decision making evaluates many alternatives and impacts, while incremental decision making focuses on small policy adjustments.

What are the three main evaluative criteria used in policy analysis?

Efficiency, effectiveness, and equity.

What does efficiency measure in policy analysis?

Efficiency measures costs relative to benefits.

What does effectiveness measure in policy analysis?

Effectiveness measures the degree to which policy goals are achieved.

What does equity assess in policy analysis?

Equity examines how policy costs and benefits are distributed across different groups.

What types of impact analysis are commonly used in policy analysis?

Cost-benefit analysis, cost-effectiveness analysis, economic impact analysis, distributional analysis, and political impact analysis.

Why is cost-benefit analysis alone insufficient?

It struggles to capture social values, equity concerns, long-term impacts, and political feasibility.

Why do policymakers sometimes choose second-best or third-best solutions?

Technically optimal solutions may be politically infeasible, so policymakers select options that balance effectiveness with support and capacity.

What is the core tension between addressing root causes and pragmatic adjustments?

Root-cause approaches aim for long-term change but may be unrealistic, while pragmatic adjustments offer achievable short-term improvements.

Why might policymakers prefer incremental policy changes?

Incremental changes are less risky, more politically acceptable, and easier to implement.

How does policy analysis support democratic accountability?

It clarifies choices, tradeoffs, and consequences, allowing policymakers to justify decisions to voters.

Why is flexibility important in policy analysis and implementation?

Unexpected obstacles, political resistance, and uncertainty require adaptation and iteration.

How does messaging affect policy implementation?

Clear communication helps build public support and reduces resistance to policy changes.

Why is implementation considered part of policy analysis?

Even well-designed policies can fail without political support, resources, and administrative capacity.

What is the ultimate goal of policy analysis?

To improve public decision making by informing policymakers of realistic options, consequences, and tradeoffs.

What are the three circles of the problem solving framework?

Problem identification, solutions development, and implementation.