The aim of An Operational Approach to Policy Analysis: The Craft is to cut through the ambiguity and contradictions inherent in policy analysis by means of an operational-prescriptive approach. Its main objective is to encapsulate the essential concepts, methods and tools of policy analysis and to provide an insight into factors acting within and around the policy analysis process. Based on the collaborative research of Iris Geva-May and Aaron Wildavsky, the first full draft of An Operational Approach to Policy Analysis: The Craft was completed just before Dr Wildavsky's untimely death. Since that time, Dr Geva-May has worked to thoroughly revise and update the manuscript.
An Operational Approach to Policy Analysis: The Craft can be used by researchers in political science, or as a textbook for any course in policy analysis, policy planning and evaluation. It will serve as a valuable source for students of political science, public policy, administration and management, as well as for policy analysts, researchers and executives in both the US and abroad.
Inhaltsverzeichnis
One: Problem Definition in Policy Analysis. - The Nature of the Process. - Context and Actors. - Identifying Policy Goals. - Identifying Variables. - Degree of Complexity. - Gathering Data. - Summary: Major Considerations in Problem Definition. - Two: Modeling in Policy Analysis. - Reasons for Modeling. - Model Construction. - General Considerations. - Context and Audience. - Types of Models. - Criteria. - Model Validation. - The Role of Judgment in Modeling. - Pitfallsin Model Construction. - Pitfallsin Quantitative Models. - Summary: Analyst s Check-list. - Three: Alternative Selection. - Generating Alternatives: General Considerations. - Considering Types of Solutions. - Choosing Among Alternatives: Considering Variables. - Choosing Among Alternatives: Using Criteria. - Cost Analysis in Alternative Choice. - Implementation Considerations:Political and Administrative Feasibility: 125. - Summary: A Digest of Main Ideas. - Four: Argument Presentation. - The Analyst -- Role and Requirements. - Considerations in Argument Presentation:. - Audience and Contexts. - Supporters and Opponents. - Argumentation Techniques. - General Strategies. - Communication Tactics. - Summary: A Precis of Main Ideas. - Five: Implementing Termination. - Reasons for Non-Termination:. - Organizational Persistence. - Costs Emotional and Political. - Costs Legal and Financial. - Ethics. - Types of Termination. - Strategies:. - Planning Ahead. - Minimizing Opposition. - Argumentation. - Pitfalls. - Summary: Analyst s Check List. - References. - Index to Authors Cited. - Index to Subject Matter.
