policy analysis Flashcards
what is policy analysis
process of multidisciplinary inquiry aiming at the creation, critical assessment, and communication of policy-relevant information
technique used in public administration to enable civil servants, activists, and others to examine and evaluate the available options to implement the goals of laws and elected officials.
what are the types of policy analysis
retrospective
prospective
describe retrospective policy analysis
analysis OF policy
descriptive, explanatory. often conducted by researchers
describe prospective policy analysis
analysis FOR policy
prescriptive; typically requested by decision-makers considering whether to develop and introduce a policy. often conducted by government policy analysts
why conduct a policy analysis?
to systematically examine and evaluate the options available to pursue/implement the goals of laws and decision-makers
to better ensure informed decision-making
to better minimize bias
to understand what has worked, what hasn’t worked, and why
to better understand the process of policy-making
what are some methods/approaches for policy analysis
policy analysis triangle
stages heuristic
stakeholder analysis
health economic analysis
ethical analysis, legal analysis, etc
what makes up the policy analysis triangle
context, content, process (stage heuristics)
and in the middle, actors
what are the types of context?
situational factors
e.g., focusing events: wars, droughts, outbreaks
structural factors
e.g., the political system (democracy vs. dictatorship, etc.), demographics, economy
cultural factors
e.g., linguistic differences, ethnic minorities, religious commitments
exogenous factors
e.g., international treaties/partnerships
describe stages heuristic
‘stages’ = stages of the policy process
‘heuristic’ = an approach to analysis
‘stages heuristic’ = an approach to policy analysis that breaks down the policy process into stages and analyzes each stage
focuses on the process by which policies are initiated, formulated, implemented, evaluated
what are the stages of stages heuristic
- problem identification and issue recognition
- policy formulation
- decision making
- policy implementation
- policy evaluation
define stakeholder
individual or group with a substantive interest in an issue, including those with some role in making a decision or its execution
what is a stakeholder analysis?
process through which those making policy or affected by it are identified and their likely position and levels of interest and influence are assessed
- identify the policy actors
- assess their political resources
- understand their positions, interests, and level of commitment
what is a health economic analysis? how could it be done?
predominantly used to evaluate the efficient and effective use of resources to achieve health objectives
could use cost-benefit analysis or cost-effective analysis
define health economics
branch of economics concerned with how (scarce) resources are allocated and used in the health system.
describe cost-benefit analysis
compares the monetary value of resources used with the monetary value of resources saved or created
places a monetary value on lives and quality of life
often done using ‘willingness-to-pay’ methodology
policy alternatives can be compared by the net monetary benefit
e.g., which should we fund with our limited budget to help people quit smoking: cognitive behavioural therapy or nicotine replacement therapy?
