Details

Subject(s)

• Policy sciences [Browse]
• Decision making [Browse]
• Problem solving [Browse]

Summary note

With his original eightfold approach, Bardach encapsulates more than 35 years of teaching students effective, accurate, and persuasive policy analysis. This bestselling handbook presents dozens of concrete tips, interesting case studies, and step-by-step strategies for the budding analyst as well as the seasoned professional. In this new edition, Bardach clarifies some of the book's exposition, paying particular attention to "design problems" and the choice of a "base case." Up-to-date examples, including a new set of environmental problems, make the book even more engaging. Readers will also appreciate a sample document of real world policy analysis, a primer in how to "talk the talk" of policy analysis, and a cheat sheet of strategies for solving a host of policy problems.--Publisher description.

Bibliographic references

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Contents

• Part I. The eightfold path
• Step One: Define the problem
• Step Two: Assemble some evidence
• Step Three: Construct the alternatives
• Step Four: Select the criteria
• Step Five: Project the outcomes
• Step Six: Confront the trade-offs
• Step Seven: Decide!
• Step Eight: Tell your story
• Part II. Assembling evidence
• Getting started
• Locating relevant sources
• Gaining access and engaging assistance
• Conducting a policy research interview
• Using language to characterize and calibrate
• Protecting credibility
• Strategic dilemmas of policy research
• Part III. "Smart (best) practices": research: understanding and making use of what Look like good ideas from somewhere else
• Develop realistic expectations
• Analyze "smart practices"
• Observe the "practice"
• Describe generic vulnerabilities
• But will it work here?
• Back to the eightfold path
• Appendix A: Specimen of a real-world policy analysis
• Appendix B: Things governments do
• Appendix C: Understanding public and nonprofit institutions: asking the right questions
• Appendix D: Strategic advice on the dynamics of gathering political support.

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ISBN

• 9781608718429 ((pbk. ; : alk. paper))
• 1608718425 ((pbk. ; : alk. paper))

LCCN

2011032521

OCLC

745609901

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