Policy Analysis

Policy analysis is primarily concerned with the consideration of a number of different policy alternatives that are expected to produce different policy consequences or outputs, varying the quality or quantity [Page 686]of policy output for a given amount of resources to be used. Policy analysis requires careful systematic and empirical study. Policy analysis focuses on all aspects of the policy process, from the early stages of policy adoption and formulation to the implementation and evaluation of public policies.

The complexities of policy analysis have contributed to the development and growth of policy science, which applies the variety of theories and tools of hard sciences (e.g., biology and chemistry), social sciences (e.g., sociology, psychology, and anthropology), and humanities (e.g., history and philosophy) in an effort to better understand all aspects of human society, its problems, and the solutions to those problems. Policy analysis is important in a modern complex society because public policy is so vast, public problems are sophisticated and are often interconnected, and public policies have tremendous social, economic, and political implications. Additionally, public policy is a dynamic process, operating under changing social, political, and economic conditions. Policy analysis helps us to understand how social, economic, and political conditions change and how public policies must evolve in order to meet the changing needs of a changing society.

Public policy analysis is an integral part of the policy-making process, from the initial stages of decision making to the evaluation of public policies that are implemented. Policy analysis requires an interdisciplinary approach—a solid understanding of the theoretical developments within a variety of science and social scientific disciplines and the practical applications of the information available. In that sense, public policy analysis helps us to bridge the gap between developing an understanding of what government ought or ought not do and what government does or does not do. Policy analysis is involved in determining who will get what, when, and how.

As government grows and policy challenges become more numerous, more complex, and more interrelated, policy analysis plays a larger role in making certain that decisions in one policy area are consistent or at least compatible with decisions made in other policy areas. Government development and growth tends to parallel population growth and the heterogeneity of needs associated with a diverse population. Therefore, policy analysis must also seek to overcome the complexities of consumer needs, yet advance equal policy outcomes.

Policy analysis first plays a role in policy formulation. When a proposed policy is first considered by elected officials, it is often difficult to frame the policy issue in a way that is tangible and understandable. Policy analysts help define the proposed policy and outline the goals for the policy. In the policy process, elected officials often consider a number of different policies; again, it proves difficult to compare these alternatives without a thorough analysis of their similarities and differences. Policy analysts approach this second part of the analysis process carefully, comparing the expected outcomes to estimated costs. Many public policies are designed to solve both current and future problems. While policy is often designed to deal with contemporary issues, it must be able to adapt to future needs. Policy analysts attempt to forecast future needs based on past and present conditions. Policy outcomes can be found in a variety of different forms—tangible outputs and less tangible outputs for which the impacts are more difficult to measure. In many cases, it is difficult to determine if the policy itself resulted in desired change or other exogenous or external factors were the most direct cause. Nevertheless, it is important to determine if policy is responsible for the desired change—otherwise, there would be no need for the policy. Policy analysts often use theoretically grounded statistical models to determine if the policy will have the desired impact. In a final stage of policy analysis, analysts collate the information gathered to determine which policy alternative will best meet present and future needs.

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