This document provides an overview of public policy analysis. It defines policy analysis as using evidence and reason to select the best policy among alternatives to address a problem. The summary discusses three key points: 1) Policy analysis integrates methods from multiple disciplines like political science, economics, and sociology to produce information relevant to policy problems, potential solutions, and outcomes. 2) There are three main forms of policy analysis: prospective focuses on predicting future impacts before implementation; retrospective examines past policies after implementation; and integrated combines both approaches. 3) A good policy analysis considers what is known empirically, what is valued, and what actions should be taken to resolve issues - requiring the use of descriptive, normative,

1. Public Policy Analysis: An
Introduction
William N. Dunn
Associate Dean and Professor
University of Pittsburg
Dr. Dunn is a scholar, educator, and academic administrator. His
most well-known publication is Public Policy Analysis, 4th
ed.,which is one of the most widely cited books on the
methodology of policy research and analysis in print.

2. What is Policy Analysis: Definitions
 The use of reason and evidence to select the best policy
among a number of alternatives to address a particular policy
problem. (MacRae and Wilde).
 “An applied social science that utilizes multiple research
methods, in argumentation and debate contexts, to create,
estimate critically, and communicate knowledge that is
relevant to the policies.” (Dunn)
 A process through which one identifies and evaluates
“alternative policies or programs that are intended to lessen
or resolve social, economic or physical problems” (Patton &
Sawicki)

3. “Policy analysis is client oriented
advice relevant to public, or private,
decisions and informed by social
values”
Weiner & Vining

4. A good analysis or even a good
decision Does Not Guarantee that
the optimal solution will be selected
and / or implemented.

5. What Policy Analysis Can and Cannot
Do…….
Policy analysis can assist decision makers in choosing a
preferred course of action from complex alternatives
and under uncertain conditions.
Policy analysis is not a panacea or a substitute for
inadequate policymaking processes, defects of public
decisions, bad judgment on the part of analysts or
policymakers, an exact science or a tool for advocacy by
the analyst for his/her own views.

6. One way to look at the Analysis
The Problem & the Solution
“a problem well formulated is a problem half solved”
Defining the Policy Problem is easier said than
done…..

7. Not all Public Problems are amenable to
policy analysis, but when they.., the
analysis can support decision making to:
Determine whether a new policy is required to
addressthe problem
 I f a policy already exists, determine whether it needs to
be modified or terminated
Analyze one policy (retrospectively or prospectively)
Compare two or more policies that address a similar
problem
Assess future implications of current or new policies
Explore stages in the development of particular policies

8. We want to learn how to look at
problems from multiple
perspectives to achieve the best
problem definition and possible /
feasible solutions

9. Example:
Increasing rates of lung cancer among certain population
groups could be framed as:
 T h e failure of individuals to stop smoking,or
Failure of the health care providers to provide adequate
/ timely information, or
Failure of the Government to regulate smoking in
public places, or
Failure on the part of Government to take the
opportunity to improve research, to raise taxes by
increasing the price of cigarettes
 A l l of theabove

10. Increasing obesity among youngsters and among
certain population groups could be framed as:
 T h e failure of parents or individual will to change
their eating behaviors, or
 T h e inability of health care providers to
provideadequate and timely information, or
Failure of the government
to:Regulate health care dept.
Eliminate harmful substances from the general diet
Build more places for people to exercise
 A l l of theabove

11. Problem Definition
“There is a difference between a condition and a
problem…conditions become defined as problems
when we come to believe that we should do
something about them…the problem doesn’t have to
get any worse or better”.
Kingdon, 1984

12. Problem Definition in Decision Making
Problem definition depends on:
How issues are framed, portrayed
How obvious is the crisis that the problem evokes
How it is measured
Endless ways to look at a particular problem, yet
limited time, money and energy.
Hence, highly complex issues are simplified; focus on
certain aspects happens at the expense of other aspects
/ elements

13. Challenges of Public Policy problems
(Social problems)
 M a y show up in ways that are difficult toaddress
“Inherently multidimensional”, overlap & contradict
 A r e ill defined, so “wickedproblems”
 T h e consensus over social goals may beillusory
Decision-makers have different preferences and
values, often conflicting
 T h e definition of a policy problem is not
completely scientific or systematic: creativity,
sagacity, socially constructed

14. Situation that can be perceived as important
into a problem
Indicators reveal its existence, magnitude, severity
Events or crisis call attention on a problem
 T h e results of evaluations (or
monitoring/surveillance) show

15. Methodology of Policy Analysis: integrates
elements from Multiple disciplines
Political Science
Sociology
Psychology
Economics
Philosophy

16. Three Approaches to Policy Analysis
Approach Primary Question
Type of
Information
Empirical
Does it and will it exist?
(facts)
Descriptive and
predictive
Valuative
Of what worth is it?
(values)
Valuative
Normative What should be done?
(value- (action)
critical)
Prescriptive

17. Five types of Policy relevant information:
interrelated and interdependent
S. Types Importance
No.
1
Policy Problems Conceptualizing problem from different
angles-viable solutions
2
Policy Futures Identifying consequences of future course of
action
3
Policy Actions Forecasting & evaluating consequences of
action based on different alternatives
4
Policy Ensuring an observed consequences of policy
Outcomes actions
Policy Finding the degree of value contributed by
5 Performance policy outcome (useful in forecasting policy
future)

18. Five Info is obtained by the means of - Policy
Analysis Process of Inquiry
S. No. Procedure Information
1 Definition (Problem
Structuring)
Conditions giving rise to a policy
problem
2
Prediction
(Forecasting)
Future consequences of acting on policy
alternatives, including doing nothing
3
Prescription
(Recommendation)
Future course of action
4
Description
(Monitoring)
Present and Past causes and
consequences of acting on policy
alternatives
5 Evaluation
Value or worth of consequences in
solving the problem

19. Process of Policy Communication: 4
Stage Process
Policy
Analyst
1
Policy
Analysis
2
Materials
Development
4
Knowledge
Utilization
3
Interactive
Communication
Knowledge:
Policy Problems
Policy Futures
Policy Actions
Policy Performance
Presentations:
Conversations
Conferences
Meetings
Briefings
Hearings
Stakeholders:
Agenda Setting
Policy Formulation
Policy Adoption
Policy Implemen.
Policy Assessment
Documents:
Policy Memo
Policy Issue
Papers
Exe. Summary
Appendices
News Release

20. Three Elements of Policy System
Policy
Stakeholders
Public Policy
Policy
Environment
Crime
Inflation
Unemployment
Discrimination
Policy Analysts
Citizens’ Groups
Labor Unions
Law Enforcement
Economic
Welfare
Parties Personnel
Urban Squalor Agencies Urban
Source: Adapted from Thomas R. Dye, Understanding Public Policy 3rd ed.

21. Six Elements of Policy Arguments: the main
vehicle for conducting debates about PP
Issues
1. Policy
Relevant
Information
(Therefore)
6. Qualifier
2. Policy
Claim
(Bcoz)
4. Backing
(Since)
3. Warrant
(Unless)
5.
Rebuttal
(Bcoz)
Backing
Probably
Nuclear power is two or three
Times more efficient than
Conventional Power Sources
Production of Nuclear energy is
The only way to ensure continuing growth
Of the economy
Arab Countires can continue
To embargo oil. Other sources
Are limited
This is the conclusion of panel of experts
Govt. should invest in
The construction of
Nuclear power plants
Solar Energy can be developed
On a large scale

22. Dunn’s Integrated Framework: Problem Centered
Policy Analysis
Problem
Structuring
Problem
Structuring
Policy
Problems
Forecasting
Monitoring
Evaluation
Recommendation
Policy
Outcomes
Policy Actions
Policy Futures
Policy
Performance

23. The process of policy analysis is a series of
intellectual activities carried out within a process
comprised of activities that are essentially political

24. Reconstructed Logic Vs. Logic-in-Use
Reconstructed Logic Logic-in-Use
Process – problem
centered policy analysis
Variation can occur due to personal
characteristics of analysts and the
institutional setting
Designed for
methodological purposes
ie. For studying the
strengths and
weaknesses of different
methods & techniques
of Policy Analysis
Factors that Influence variation:
•Cognitive Style: diff. Knowledge
•Analytical Roles: Entrep, Politicians and
Technicians
•Institutional Incentive system: Different
orientation – humanistic & scientific; quality
control also differs
•Institutional time constraints: expedite
•Professional Socialization: varied
orientation (traditional/basic & applied)

25. Forms of Policy Analysis
Prospective
Policy Analysis
Retrospective
Policy Analsis
Integrated
Policy
Analysis

26. Three major forms of Policy Analysis:
Prospective PolicyAnalysis:
Involves the production and transformation of
information before policy actions are initiated and
implemented.
Tends to Characterize the operating styles of
economists, systems analysts, and operations
researchers.
Synthesizes information to draw policy alternatives
and preferences.

27. Prospective Analysis often creates large gap
Preferred
Solutions to
Problems
Efforts of
Govt. to
resolve the
problem
Gaps

28. Retrospective Policy Analysis
Confined to the production and transformation of
information after policy actions have been taken.
Operating styles of three major groups of analysts:
1.Discipline oriented analysts
2.Problem oriented analysts
3.Application oriented analysts

29. Discipline Oriented
Analysis
Problem Oriented
Analysis
Application Oriented
Analysis
Political Scientists & Political Scientists & Also persons from social
Sociologists – seeks to Sociologists - seeks to work, public
develop and test describe the causes and administration &
discipline based theories. consequences of policies. evaluation research. Seeks
to describe causes & consq
Describe the causes and Less concerned with the Not concerned with dev.
consequences of the development and testing of And testing of discipline
policies. theories. Discipline based theories.
Oriented Analysis
What affected the policies
Seldom attempts to Seldom provides info about They are concerned with
identity specific goals and specific goals and the identification of goals
objectives of policymakers objectives of policymakers. and objectives of policy
(does not distinguish Coz the problem they makers and other
“policy variables”). analyze are usually of stakeholders. Good info for
general nature. evaluating policy outcome.

30. Prospective Policy
Analysis
Suffers from inadequate &
unreliable info. About changes in
values , goals and objectives
which occur after policies have
been implemented.
Integrated Policy Analysis
Builds on the strengths of both
Prospective & Retrospective
Analysis – multidisciplinary in
full sense of the world
Multidisciplinary framework, concerns
with the production & transformation
of information both before and after
policy actions have been taken.
Provides methodology for policy
analysis (rules & procedures)
Retrospective Policy
Analysis
Suffers from its nature i.e.
confined with passive reporting
of information about the
consequences of implemented
policies
Integrated Policy Analysis

31. An Integrated Framework
Policy
Performance
Policy Actions
Policy
Outcomes
Policy
Futures
Policy
Problems
Forecasting
Monitoring
Evaluation
Recommend
ation
P. S.
P.S.
Retrospective
What happened?
After action
Prospective
What will happen?
Before action

32. Methodology of Policy Analysis: Distinction
between theories
Descriptive Decision Theory: set of logically consistent
propositions that describe action. Primary aim is to
understand a policy problem rather than to solve it.
Normative Decision Theory: set of logically consistent
propositions that provide a basis for improving the
consequences of action. Appropriate for predicting and
recommending different courses of action before they
have occurred. Aim is to solve the problem - “Problem
Solving” methodology.

33. Summary

A
combination and transformation of the
substance and methods of several disciplines,
intends to produce policy relevant information
to resolve the problems
Knowledge of what is (fact), what is right
(values) and what to do (action) requires /
demands the use of multiple methods of
inquiry
Policy analysis has 3 main forms: prospective,
retrospective & integrated

34. Thank you