Policy Analysis as Problem Solving: A Flexible and Evidence-Based Framework

Half Title
Title
Copyright
Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
	Organization of the Book
	Case Studies: Child Support Debt and Electoral Participation
	References
Chapter 1 What Is Policy Analysis? Mainstream and Alternative Perspectives
	What Is Policy Analysis?
	Policy Analysis as Part of the Larger Policy Process
	The “Rational Model” of Policy Analysis
	Critiques of the Rational Model
	Alternative Models of Policy Analysis
	Summary: Using the Rational Model Flexibly
	References
Chapter 2 Defining the Problem and Setting the Stage
	The Rationalistic Approach
	Alternative Perspectives
	How to Establish a Problem Statement
	Using Evidence to Frame the Nature of the Problem
	Summary
	Child Support Debt Case: Defining the Problem
	References
Chapter 3 Devising Alternative Policy Options
	Approaches for Generating Alternatives
	Modeling Alternatives on Existing or Previous Programs and Policies
	Alternative Strategies for Developing Alternatives
	Insights From Behavioral Economics and Related Fields
	Insights From the Field of Design
	Summary
	Child Support Debt Case: Alternative Policy Options
	References
Chapter 4 Objectives and Criteria
	What Are Criteria?
	Where Do Criteria Come From?
	Constructing Effective Criteria and Measures
	Two Common Pitfalls
	The Analytical Matrix
	Summary
	Child Support Debt Case: Criteria
	References
Chapter 5 Technical Aspects of Policy Analysis: Discounting, Cost-Benefit Analysis, and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis
	Discounting: Accounting for Time Value of Money
	CBA Introduced
	What Is CBA?
	Why CBA Is Hard to Do in Practice
	Using CBA Flexibly and Pragmatically
	An Alternative to CBA: CEA
	Summary
	References
Chapter 6 Analysis and Making Recommendations
	Prediction and Estimation
	Additional Considerations When Projecting Outcomes
	Comparison of Outcomes
	Making Recommendations
	Summary
	Child Support Debt Case: Analysis of Policy Options and Recommendation
	References
Chapter 7 Research and Policy Analysis
	The Role and Purpose of Research in Policy Analysis
	The Research Plan
	Documents
	Interviews and Focus Groups
	Public Events and Site Visits
	Data Sets
	Surveys
	Case Studies and “Best Practices”
	Summary
	Child Support Debt Case: Research Methods and Data Sources
	References
Chapter 8 Policy Analysis in Practice
	Where Do Policy Analysts Work?
	Policy Analysts Need Good Communication Skills
	An Ethical Code for Policy Analysts?
	Ethical Analyses Versus Ethical Practices
	Challenges to Incorporating Ethics Into Policy Analysis
	How to Conduct Ethical Policy Analysis
	Summary
	Child Support Debt Case: Ethical Dilemmas
	References
Chapter 9 Epilogue
	What’s Next?
Index