Quiz 2

Question 1

The Eightfold Path

Answer 1

1. Define the problem
2. Assemble some evidence
3. Construct the alternatives
4. Select the criteria
5. Project the outcomes
6. Confront the trade-offs
7. Make a decision
8. Tell your story

Question 2

Generic Report Format

Answer 2

1. Executive summary
2. Introduction
3. Background
4. Goals
5. Alternatives
6. Evaluation
7. Recommendation

Question 3

BLUF

Answer 3

bottom line up front; idea that you want to get your most important information in early

Question 4

Tables

Answer 4

contains lots of complex data; Descriptive title, Accurate labels, Source information, Notes describing any variations in the data

Question 5

Line Graphs

Answer 5

Used for time series data

Question 6

Bar Diagrams

Answer 6

used for cross-sectional data

Question 7

pie charts

Answer 7

Used for data that is a fraction of a total

Question 8

maps

Answer 8

Geographic data; good to have compass and scale on the map

Question 9

Components of Problem Analysis

Answer 9

1. Define the problem
2. Measure the problem (operationalize)
3. Determine the extent or magnitude
4. Set goals or objectives
5. Determine what can be done

Question 10

Dimensions of Problem

Answer 10

1. Causation: What causes a problem?
2. Scope: How big a problem?
3. Tractability: How difficult to fix?
4. Severity: How serious a problem? How serious of consequences?

Question 11

Sources of Evidence

Answer 11

Surveys, Library, Books, Journals, Magazines, Newspapers, Internet, Think tanks and academic sources, Government agencies, Private firms, Newspapers, Interested individuals, Stakeholders, people affected by public policy, lobbyists, bill sponsors on legislation related to the topic, academics,

Question 12

Criteria

Answer 12

1. Efficiency
2. Equality
3. Equity
4. Adequacy
5. Effectiveness
6. Political viability
7. Administrative operability
8. Legality

Question 13

Cost-benefit Analysis

Answer 13

If able to put dollar amounts on costs and benefits over time, about just adjusting future values on today’s dollars

Question 14

Cost-effective analysis

Answer 14

compares the relative costs and outcomes of different courses of action

Question 15

Risk assessment

Answer 15

Assignment dollar values to the probabilities

Question 16

Single Factor Projection

Answer 16

What you’ll probably use if you’re going to track a trend across time if have sufficient number of years and pretty linear and not expecting shock to disrupt trend and if don’t have resources to do more or understanding of causal factors

Question 17

Intervention Points

Answer 17

Each opportunity to apply a solution is an intervention point

Question 18

Efficiency

Answer 18

Output for dollar; How much you’re getting for what you’re spending

Question 19

Equality

Answer 19

Treating people the same? Equal opportunities? - Usually refers to equality of outcomes

Question 20

Equity

Answer 20

Fairness (process, outcomes, outputs) (Subjective term)

Question 21

Adequacy

Answer 21

Doing enough, Solves problem

Question 22

Effectiveness

Answer 22

Is it doing what we wanted it to do? Doesn’t necessarily solve the problem

Question 23

Political Viability

Answer 23

measure policy or program outcomes in terms of impact on relevant power groups; whether one or more alternatives is acceptable or can be made acceptable to the relevant groups of decision makers

Question 24

Administrative Operability

Answer 24

Is the current administrative system capable of delivering the policy or program?

Question 25

Legality

Answer 25

A feasible policy must not violate constitutional, statutory, or common law rights. Remember, however, that legal rights are constantly changing and are often ambiguous

Question 26

Delphi Technique

Answer 26

Developed to bring systematic, unbiased reasoning process to subjective group forecasting; trying to overcome groupthink

Question 27

Causal Prediction

Answer 27

causal models that link a dependent variable with several independent variables

Question 28

Judgmental projection

Answer 28

With complex issues and a lack of knowledge, possible that no one expert will be able to project the future so use judgmental methods to draw upon the wisdom of multiple experts (Reference expertise, Delphi Technique, FAT)

Question 29

Levels of Measurement

Answer 29

• Nominal (in or out)
• Ordinal (Rank matters)
• Interval (Differences matter)
• Ratio (includes zero)

Question 30

Sensitivity Analysis

Answer 30

How big a mistake can I afford in this assumption?

The smaller the mistake you can afford, the more sensitive your analysis

Question 31

Ranking

Answer 31

A basic method for assigning importance to various criteria; limited functionality

Question 32

Weighting

Answer 32

Allows a more refined comparison of the relative importance of the criteria

Question 33

Monetize

Answer 33

put money value on alternatives/criteria to see which will cost less to government