Question 1

What is the purpose of scientific approaches to policy analysis?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the purpose of scientific approaches...

Question 2

The Clean Air Act Amendments took place in ______.
A) 1980
B) 1990
C) 2000
D) 2010

Accepted Answer

The Clean Air Act Amendments occurred in 1990. These amendments established new requirements for auto emissions, air toxics, acid rain, ozone depletion, and interstate air pollution.

Question 3

Why is the construction of policy alternatives considered to be the most important stage of the policy analysis process?

Accepted Answer

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Question 4

Which of the following was identified as the most important step in the policymaking process?
A) constructing policy alternatives
B) policy evaluation
C) policy change
D) setting the agenda

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following was identified as...

Question 5

This text focuses on ______ or the likely success of proposals in solving the problem at hand.
A) equity
B) feasibility
C) effectiveness
D) efficiency

Accepted Answer

The text is concerned with the likely success of proposals in solving the problem, which relates to their effectiveness.

Question 6

Which of the following is an example of data that could be collected to study the root causes of poverty?
A) the number of students who drop out of high school
B) the number of people in poverty
C) the unemployment rate
D) the median family income

Accepted Answer

The number of students who drop out of high school can be an indicator of potential factors that lead to poverty, such as lack of educational opportunities, economic challenges, or social issues.

Question 7

In order to choose which policy options (such as sanctions or public education) are better than others to reduce cell phone use, policy analysts might use the criterion of efficiency. What question would they ask related to efficiency?
A) Which of these options will be the most acceptable to the driving public?
B) Which of these options are projected to reduce cell phone use the most?
C) Which of these options will least restrict people's freedom and choice?
D) For what we invest, which of these options are likely to do the best job of reducing cell phone use?

Accepted Answer

The question related to efficiency would be which of these options are likely to do the best job of reducing cell phone use. Option D is the only one that addresses this criterion, as it focuses on the effectiveness of the policy options in achieving the desired outcome. Options A and C relate more to acceptability and freedom, respectively, which are not criteria of efficiency. Option B focuses on the extent of reduction without considering the cost or investment required, which is an important factor in efficiency.

Question 8

In which year did the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) call for a total ban on cell phone use while driving (no calling, texting, or updating)?
A) 2000
B) 2011
C) 2013
D) 2016

Accepted Answer

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) called for a total ban on cell phone use while driving in 2011, citing concerns over safety and the potential for distraction-related accidents.

Question 9

Which of the following statements best illustrates the rational-comprehensive approach to decision making?
A) The government collected data about illegal immigrants (geographic location, type of employment, and how they got here) and then developed a comprehensive new policy tailored to their findings.
B) The economic crisis arose quickly, and the government implemented a bailout of automakers in order to prevent the loss of jobs.
C) Because a lot of children did not have health insurance, the government passed an expansion of the Medicaid program to cover more children.
D) After 9/11 terrorist attacks, the United States soon conducted military operations in Afghanistan to reduce the threat of terrorism.

Accepted Answer

The rational-comprehensive approach to decision making involves collecting data, considering various alternatives, and selecting the best option based on a thorough analysis of the information. Option A best illustrates this approach as the government collected data about illegal immigrants and then developed a comprehensive new policy tailored to their findings. The other options do not show the same level of data analysis and consideration of alternatives.

Question 10

Which of the following best defines the rational-comprehensive approach to policymaking?
A) rigorous analysis of the problem and the likely impacts of proposed policies
B) strong efforts to include public opinion in the policymaking process
C) extensive use of cutting-edge policy approaches that may lead to conflict and disagreement
D) relatively minor changes to policy that are accomplished over time in a thoughtful manner

Accepted Answer

The rational-comprehensive approach involves a rigorous analysis of the problem at hand, as well as a thorough examination of the possible impacts of various policy solutions. This approach attempts to identify the optimal policy solution for the given problem by considering all available information and taking a comprehensive, logical, and analytical approach.

Question 11

The purpose of policy analysis is to ______.
A) provide information and impartial assessments of options to aid the policymaking process
B) evaluate existing policy criteria
C) legitimize and implement public policies
D) provide rational-comprehensive models of public behavior

Accepted Answer

The purpose of policy analysis is to provide information and impartial assessments of options to aid the policymaking process. It is not about evaluating existing policy criteria, legitimizing and implementing public policies, or providing rational-comprehensive models of public behavior.

Question 12

The Center for American Progress and the Heritage Foundation often use ______ to promote a preferred policy.
A) scientific policy analysis
B) professional policy analysis
C) political policy analysis
D) program evaluation

Accepted Answer

The question is asking about which type of analysis these organizations often use to promote their preferred policy. While it's possible that they might use scientific or professional policy analysis, the key phrase in the question is "promote a preferred policy," which suggests that they are more likely using political policy analysis to advance their agenda. Program evaluation is less likely to be relevant in this context since it typically involves assessing the effectiveness of existing policies, rather than advocating for new ones.

Question 13

Which of the following is most likely to conduct political forms of policy analysis?
A) National Rifle Association
B) Brookings Institution
C) Massachusetts Institute of Technology
D) National Academy of Sciences

Accepted Answer

The National Rifle Association (NRA) is a political advocacy group that often conducts policy analysis to support its stance on gun rights and influence legislation.

Question 14

Explain the professional approach to policy analysis.

Accepted Answer

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Question 15

In the 1980s, the federal government sponsored a decade long study of the causes and consequences of acid rain at a cost of ______ million.
A) 100
B) 300
C) 500
D) 700

Accepted Answer

The question states that the study lasted a decade, which is 10 years. The cost is given in millions, so the answer must be in the hundreds digit. Of the options given, only C is in the hundreds digit range. A is too low, B is too low for a decade-long study, and D is too high. Therefore, the best choice is C, which is $500 million.

Question 16

What are some examples of evaluative criteria that can be used in policy analysis?

Accepted Answer

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Question 17

By 2018, ______ states had banned texting for all drivers.
A) 25
B) 37
C) 47
D) 50

Accepted Answer

By 2018, 47 states had banned texting for all drivers as part of efforts to reduce distractions and improve road safety.

Question 18

Explain the political approach to policy analysis.

Accepted Answer

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Question 19

To reduce drivers' cell phone use, should state governments institute sanctions such as tickets or fines? Or should they try to educate drivers on cell phone use? These are examples of which part of the policy analysis process?
A) construct policy alternatives
B) develop evaluative criteria
C) draw conclusions
D) define and analyze the problem

Accepted Answer

This is an example of constructing policy alternatives, as the question is presenting different options for state governments to address the issue of cell phone use while driving.

Question 20

What is the first step in policy analysis?

Accepted Answer

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Quiz 4: Policy Analysis

What is the purpose of scientific approaches to policy analysis?

The Clean Air Act Amendments took place in ______.

Why is the construction of policy alternatives considered to be the most important stage of the policy analysis process?

Which of the following was identified as the most important step in the policymaking process?

This text focuses on ______ or the likely success of proposals in solving the problem at hand.

Which of the following is an example of data that could be collected to study the root causes of poverty?

In order to choose which policy options (such as sanctions or public education) are better than others to reduce cell phone use, policy analysts might use the criterion of efficiency. What question would they ask related to efficiency?

In which year did the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) call for a total ban on cell phone use while driving (no calling, texting, or updating) ?

Which of the following statements best illustrates the rational-comprehensive approach to decision making?

Which of the following best defines the rational-comprehensive approach to policymaking?

The purpose of policy analysis is to ______.

The Center for American Progress and the Heritage Foundation often use ______ to promote a preferred policy.

Which of the following is most likely to conduct political forms of policy analysis?

Explain the professional approach to policy analysis.

In the 1980s, the federal government sponsored a decade long study of the causes and consequences of acid rain at a cost of ______ million.

What are some examples of evaluative criteria that can be used in policy analysis?

By 2018, ______ states had banned texting for all drivers.

Explain the political approach to policy analysis.

To reduce drivers' cell phone use, should state governments institute sanctions such as tickets or fines? Or should they try to educate drivers on cell phone use? These are examples of which part of the policy analysis process?

What is the first step in policy analysis?