Deck 1: Policy Analysis

Question 1

When using test scores to measure the impact of education policy, we are taking part in

A) policy analysis.
B) policy evaluation.
C) policy description.
D) behavioral science.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Prescribing a direction in public policy is referred to as

A) agenda setting.
B) policy advocacy.
C) policy evaluation.
D) policy analysis.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

The most expensive undertaking of state and local governments is

A) highways.
B) education.
C) national defense.
D) welfare.

Answer 3

B

Question 4

The work of a policy analyst includes all of the following except

A) rigorous examination of the causes of public policy.
B) systematic examination of the impact of public policy.
C) prescribing policy preferences.
D) scientifically studying public policy.

Question 5

"Traditional" political science focuses primarily on

A) causes of government activity.
B) the behavioral processes of government.
C) the institutional structure of government.
D) an evaluation of the consequences of societal policies.

Question 6

Studying the impact of the passage of the Fifteenth Amendment is an example of

A) policy description.
B) policy advocacy.
C) policy implementation.
D) policy evaluation.

Question 7

In scientific terms, when we study the causes of public policy, policies become the
Variables and their determinants become the

A) evaluation, recommendation
B) independent, dependent
C) cause, consequences
D) dependent, independent

Question 8

Examining the consequences of public policy is often referred to as

A) policy advocacy.
B) policy evaluation.
C) policy analysis.
D) policy description.

Question 9

According to the text, functions and priorities.

A) policy advocacy
B) government spending
C) regulatory activity
D) policy analysis

Question 10

Which of these would typically be the work of a policy advocate, but not a policy analyst?

A) explanation
B) prescription
C) research
D) modeling

Question 11

A close look at the terms of the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty is an example of

A) policy advocacy.
B) policy evaluation.
C) policy analysis.
D) policy description.

Question 12

Total government spending (state, local, and federal) currently accounts for about what percentage of the gross domestic product?

A) 35
B) 25
C) 45
D) 15

Question 13

The most expensive undertaking of the federal government is

A) education.
B) national defense.
C) Social Security and Medicare.
D) interest on the national debt.

Question 14

Government's responsibilities have generally

A) grown in recent years.
B) constricted in recent years.
C) stayed about the same in recent years.
D) varied greatly in recent years.

Question 15

One problem that researchers have in their attempt to find solutions for public problems is

A) an inability to quantify data.
B) a lack of understanding of the scientific method.
C) a disagreement about what the problems are.
D) the lack of understanding of the social and economic environment.

Question 16

The most serious reservation about policy analysis is the inability to make accurate predictions because of

A) lack of accurate data.
B) the complexity of human behavior.
C) value conflicts among researchers.
D) the Hawthorne effect.

Question 17

Policy analysis is an art and a craft.It is an art because of the need for

A) specialist knowledge of economics.
B) knowledge of public administration.
C) creativity in dealing with public issues.
D) statistical expertise.

Question 18

The study of public policy focuses on governmental

A) structure.
B) theory.
C) actions.
D) institutional history.

Question 19

Governmental growth during the twentieth century may be attributed to all BUT WHICH of the following?

A) World War I and World War II
B) the Great Depression
C) massive immigration
D) Great Society programs

Question 20

Policy activism.

A) analysis
B) evaluation
Requires the skills of rhetoric, persuasion, organization, and
C) advocacy
D) expansion

Question 21

The study of public policy is an aspect of political science.

Question 22

The Great Society resulted in a dramatic shrinking of the size of the U.S.government.

Question 23

Policy evaluation provides information about the causes of public policy.

Question 24

Policy advocacy is essentially persuasion in favor of a given public policy.

Question 25

Measurement of test results as a consequence of the No Child Left Behind Act is an example of the art of understanding public policy.

Question 26

Gross Domestic Product is a common measure indicating a government's size.

Question 27

"Traditional" political science centers on behaviors such as voting and lobbying.

Question 28

Public policy focuses on support for legislation and other government actions.

Question 29

Policy analysis can be used to put an end to differences in values.

Question 30

An examination of the impact of the No Child Left Behind Act is an example of policy description.