DEFM_410_WK1_Discussion
Discussion
1. What are the roles and responsibilities of people performing policy analysis?
First, it helps to understand that policy analysis is an "applied research" technique of studying
public policy by analyzing efficiency and determining impact (Rossi, Lipsey & Freeman, 2018).
The end goal of the policy analysis is to inform better decision making, which will intern,
hopefully, result in better policy making (Howlett et al., 2014). As Howlett and the other
contributing authors describe, policy analysis has many roles. Still, the primary function is to use
analytical tools to evaluate the policy activities of former and current public administrations
(2014). This analysis can be performed within the government but can extend to outside
agencies such as Non-Governmental Organizations (Howlett et al., 2014). Some of the tasks or
responsibilities of government policy analysts include performing research and analysis,
providing advice, and producing position papers (Howlett et al., 2014). In comparison, NGO
analysts' tasks include consulting with stakeholders, identifying policy issues, and consulting
with decision-makers (Howlett et al., 2014).
2. To what extent do Howlett and cited authors in the article encourage people beyond
the specialists in government for evaluations?
The authors emphasized an approach to policy analysis formulated on the evaluated policy area.
This means that the same approach is not taken on industry and trade analysis as it is for social
development or education. For instance, in the findings by Howlett and the contributing authors,
agencies that deal with more quantifiable measures may take a more measured approach than in
areas of "social or environmental policy." That is not to say that they should be subjective
measures but that the data in the analysis may be simpler to quantify. In all, I believe the tone
that the authors take is that training and flexibility in the process are crucial to policy analysis.
Resources
Rossi, P. H., Lipsey, M. W., & Henry, G. T. (2018). Evaluation: A systematic approach. Sage
publications. https://books.google.com/books?
hl=en&lr=&id=eDZ2DwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=Evaluation:
+A+Systematic+Approach&ots=ynGYOKw5oR&sig=_K_xdL9SMsF4Md4eveOctp8sQ
Wo#v=onepage&q=Evaluation%3A%20A%20Systematic%20Approach&f=false
Howlett, M., Tan, S. L., Migone, A., Wellstead, A., & Evans, B. (2014). The distribution of
analytical techniques in policy advisory systems: Policy formulation and the tools of
policy appraisal. Public Policy and Administration, 29(4), 271–291.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0952076714524810
Discussion
1. What are the roles and responsibilities of people performing policy analysis?
First, it helps to understand that policy analysis is an "applied research" technique of studying
public policy by analyzing efficiency and determining impact (Rossi, Lipsey & Freeman, 2018).
The end goal of the policy analysis is to inform better decision making, which will intern,
hopefully, result in better policy making (Howlett et al., 2014). As Howlett and the other
contributing authors describe, policy analysis has many roles. Still, the primary function is to use
analytical tools to evaluate the policy activities of former and current public administrations
(2014). This analysis can be performed within the government but can extend to outside
agencies such as Non-Governmental Organizations (Howlett et al., 2014). Some of the tasks or
responsibilities of government policy analysts include performing research and analysis,
providing advice, and producing position papers (Howlett et al., 2014). In comparison, NGO
analysts' tasks include consulting with stakeholders, identifying policy issues, and consulting
with decision-makers (Howlett et al., 2014).
2. To what extent do Howlett and cited authors in the article encourage people beyond
the specialists in government for evaluations?
The authors emphasized an approach to policy analysis formulated on the evaluated policy area.
This means that the same approach is not taken on industry and trade analysis as it is for social
development or education. For instance, in the findings by Howlett and the contributing authors,
agencies that deal with more quantifiable measures may take a more measured approach than in
areas of "social or environmental policy." That is not to say that they should be subjective
measures but that the data in the analysis may be simpler to quantify. In all, I believe the tone
that the authors take is that training and flexibility in the process are crucial to policy analysis.
Resources
Rossi, P. H., Lipsey, M. W., & Henry, G. T. (2018). Evaluation: A systematic approach. Sage
publications. https://books.google.com/books?
hl=en&lr=&id=eDZ2DwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=Evaluation:
+A+Systematic+Approach&ots=ynGYOKw5oR&sig=_K_xdL9SMsF4Md4eveOctp8sQ
Wo#v=onepage&q=Evaluation%3A%20A%20Systematic%20Approach&f=false
Howlett, M., Tan, S. L., Migone, A., Wellstead, A., & Evans, B. (2014). The distribution of
analytical techniques in policy advisory systems: Policy formulation and the tools of
policy appraisal. Public Policy and Administration, 29(4), 271–291.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0952076714524810
