Eugene Bardach and new co-author Eric Patashnik draw on more than 40 years of experience teaching students to be effective, accurate, and persuasive policy analysts. This bestselling handbook presents dozens of concrete tips, interesting case studies, and step-by-step strategies for the budding analyst as well as the seasoned professional.

Table of Contents:
Preface Acknowledgments Introduction Part I THE EIGHTFOLD PATH Step One: Define the Problem Step Two: Assemble Some Evidence Step Three: Construct the Alternatives Step Four: Select the Criteria Step Five: Project the Outcomes Step Six: Confront the Trade-Offs Step Seven: Stop, Focus, Narrow, Deepen, Decide! Step Eight: Tell Your Story PART II ASSEMBLING EVIDENCE Getting Started Locating Relevant Sources Gaining Access and Engaging Assistance Conducting a Policy Research Interview Using Language to Characterize and Calibrate Protecting Credibility Strategic Dilemmas of Policy Research PART III HANDLING A DESIGN PROBLEM It′s a Production System Crosswalks to the Eightfold Path Define the Problem—Focus on a Primary Outcome Construct the Alternatives—Configure the System’s Organizational Structure and Its Operating Processes Select the Criteria—Define the Objectives to Be Achieved Project the Outcomes—Test Whether It Will Work Confront the Trade-Offs—Examine the System from Multiple Perspectives Design a Transition Strategy PART IV “SMART (BEST) PRACTICES” RESEARCH: UNDERSTANDING AND MAKING USE OF WHAT LOOK LIKE GOOD IDEAS FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE Develop Realistic Expectations Analyze Smart Practices Observe the Practice Describe Generic Vulnerabilities But Will It Work Here? Back to the Eightfold Path APPENDIX A SPECIMEN OF A REAL-WORLD POLICY ANALYSIS Preface Summary Reducing Consumption: More Enforcement against Typical Dealers Reducing Consumption: More Enforcement against Higher-Level Dealers Reducing Cocaine-Related Crime Conclusion Appendix B THINGS GOVERNMENTS DO Taxes Regulation Subsidies and Grants Service Provision Agency Budgets Information The Structure of Private Rights The Framework of Economic Activity Education and Consultation Financing and Contracting Bureaucratic and Political Reforms APPENDIX C UNDERSTANDING PUBLIC AND NONPROFIT INSTITUTIONS: ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS Mission Environment Performance Measurement Technology Production/Delivery Processes Frontline Workers and Co-Producers Partners and Other Outsiders Centralization/Decentralization Culture and Communications Politics Leadership Change APPENDIX D STRATEGIC ADVICE ON THE DYNAMICS OF GATHERING POLITICAL SUPPORT Sequencing Timing APPENDIX E TIPS FOR WORKING WITH CLIENTS References Index