OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023
DVA3703
QUALITY ANSWERS PROVIDED
• Your full name
• Your student number
• The module code
• The module name
• List the questions you answered
• The date of the exam
SECTION A
Write an essay on any ONE of the following questions:
QUESTION 1
Describe and discuss the requirements for effective policy evaluation. (50)
QUESTION 2
Critically discuss the role of civil society in policy making. Provide practical examples to
support your answer. (50)
QUESTION 3
Explain in detail the impact of neoliberalism on African development. Use practical
examples.(50)
(50 marks)
……………………………………………………………………………………………..
SECTION B
Answer ALL the FIVE Questions
1. What is complexity theory?(10)
2. Briefly explain how social capital relates to policy formulation. (10)
3. Give a distinction between institutional and interest-based approaches in public
, policy-making.(10)
4. Explain the people centred approaches within the African development context.(10)
5. Discuss the role and importance of information analysis as action instrument in policy
analysis.(10)
(50 marks)
UNISA copyright ©2023
QUESTION 1
Describe and discuss the requirements for effective policy evaluation.
Effective policy evaluation is a crucial aspect of the policy-making process. It involves
assessing the impacts and outcomes of policies to determine their effectiveness and whether
they achieve their intended objectives. To ensure that policy evaluation is rigorous and
informative, several key requirements need to be met (Weiss, 1998).
First and foremost, a clear and well-defined evaluation framework is essential. This
framework should establish the objectives, goals, and expected outcomes of the policy being
evaluated. Clarity regarding what the policy seeks to achieve provides a foundation for
determining what aspects of the policy should be evaluated and how. Without a clear
framework, it becomes challenging to assess whether the policy is working as intended.
The use of appropriate and robust research methods is another crucial requirement. Policy
evaluation often involves data collection, analysis, and interpretation. To ensure that the
findings are valid and reliable, it is imperative to employ sound research methods.
Quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques, such as surveys, interviews, and
statistical analysis, are commonly used in policy evaluation to gather comprehensive and
accurate information.
In addition, the timeline for evaluation is a critical consideration. Policies can have both
short-term and long-term effects, and evaluation must take these temporal dimensions into
account. Short-term effects may be evident immediately, while long-term impacts can
emerge years later. Consequently, a well-structured evaluation plan should outline when and
how data will be collected to capture both short-term and long-term outcomes.
DVA3703
QUALITY ANSWERS PROVIDED
• Your full name
• Your student number
• The module code
• The module name
• List the questions you answered
• The date of the exam
SECTION A
Write an essay on any ONE of the following questions:
QUESTION 1
Describe and discuss the requirements for effective policy evaluation. (50)
QUESTION 2
Critically discuss the role of civil society in policy making. Provide practical examples to
support your answer. (50)
QUESTION 3
Explain in detail the impact of neoliberalism on African development. Use practical
examples.(50)
(50 marks)
……………………………………………………………………………………………..
SECTION B
Answer ALL the FIVE Questions
1. What is complexity theory?(10)
2. Briefly explain how social capital relates to policy formulation. (10)
3. Give a distinction between institutional and interest-based approaches in public
, policy-making.(10)
4. Explain the people centred approaches within the African development context.(10)
5. Discuss the role and importance of information analysis as action instrument in policy
analysis.(10)
(50 marks)
UNISA copyright ©2023
QUESTION 1
Describe and discuss the requirements for effective policy evaluation.
Effective policy evaluation is a crucial aspect of the policy-making process. It involves
assessing the impacts and outcomes of policies to determine their effectiveness and whether
they achieve their intended objectives. To ensure that policy evaluation is rigorous and
informative, several key requirements need to be met (Weiss, 1998).
First and foremost, a clear and well-defined evaluation framework is essential. This
framework should establish the objectives, goals, and expected outcomes of the policy being
evaluated. Clarity regarding what the policy seeks to achieve provides a foundation for
determining what aspects of the policy should be evaluated and how. Without a clear
framework, it becomes challenging to assess whether the policy is working as intended.
The use of appropriate and robust research methods is another crucial requirement. Policy
evaluation often involves data collection, analysis, and interpretation. To ensure that the
findings are valid and reliable, it is imperative to employ sound research methods.
Quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques, such as surveys, interviews, and
statistical analysis, are commonly used in policy evaluation to gather comprehensive and
accurate information.
In addition, the timeline for evaluation is a critical consideration. Policies can have both
short-term and long-term effects, and evaluation must take these temporal dimensions into
account. Short-term effects may be evident immediately, while long-term impacts can
emerge years later. Consequently, a well-structured evaluation plan should outline when and
how data will be collected to capture both short-term and long-term outcomes.
