UCLA What is Policy Research and Analysis Discussion

As a public policy and administration doctoral student, you have made a conscious decision to engage in policy research and analysis. This week’s Discussion provides you the opportunity to clarify and articulate some of your assumptions and perspectives about policy research and analysis. This may be your first opportunity, but it will certainly not be your last opportunity to contemplate issues surrounding policy research and analysis.

To prepare:

Review this week’s Learning Resources to better      understand what policy research and analysis is and why we engage in it.

Consider the Allison reading and the idea that the      metaphor you use for your policy research will influence the solution(s)      you generate.

Consider the ethical issues of policy analysis. For      example, who should be allowed to tell you that you must wear shoes and a      shirt to receive service? 

• Post an evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of policy research and analysis. Provide at least one concrete example to illustrate your argument. Support your points with references from the Learning Resources. 

References:

• Allison, G. T. (1968). Conceptual models and the Cuban Missile Crisis: Rational policy, organizational process, and bureaucratic politics. 

RAND Corporation. https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/papers/…