Question 1

Researchers and academics conduct research to develop a rigorous and in-depth understanding of public problems and policy alternatives. This approach to policy analysis is ______.
A) professional
B) political
C) scientific
D) none of these

Accepted Answer

The approach described involves using scientific methods to carefully study public problems and potential policy solutions. This is different from a purely professional or political approach.

Question 2

The American Enterprise Institute was founded in ______.
A) 1930
B) 1938
C) 1940
D) 1943

Accepted Answer

The American Enterprise Institute was founded in 1938 as a conservative think tank focused on free market economic policies.

Question 3

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 liberty. What question would they ask related to liberty?
A) For what we invest, which of these options is likely to do the best job of reducing cell phone use?
B) Which of these options is projected to reduce cell phone use the most?
C) Which of these options will least restrict people's freedom and choice?
D) Which of these options will be the most acceptable to the driving public?

Accepted Answer

In this particular case, policy analysts would be interested in finding a solution to reduce cell phone use without infringing on people's liberty and freedom. Therefore, the question related to liberty that they would ask is "Which of these options will least restrict people's freedom and choice?" The other options (A, B, and D) do not specifically address the concern of liberty.

Question 4

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 is 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 is likely to do the best job of reducing cell phone use?

Accepted Answer

The criterion of efficiency is about maximizing the amount of desired outcome achieved per unit of input or cost. Therefore, policy analysts would ask which option would have the highest return on investment in terms of reducing cell phone use. Option D is the only one that speaks directly to this question. Options A and C are more concerned with political acceptability and individual rights, respectively, which are not directly related to efficiency. Option B could be a consideration, but it does not take into account the cost or resources required to achieve that reduction.

Question 5

Which best describes the approaches being taken by states to address the problem of cell phone use by drivers?
A) Most states have banned text messaging by drivers, but states have done a variety of things with regard to cell phone use while driving.
B) Most states have not dealt with the issue of texting and cell phone use.
C) All 50 states have banned cell phone use by novice drivers.
D) Only a handful of states have attempted to create policies to address this problem.

Accepted Answer

According to the information provided, most states have banned text messaging while driving, but have taken various approaches with regards to cell phone use while driving. This indicates that A is the best choice. Choices B, C, and D are all incorrect based on the information provided.

Question 6

Which of the following policy analysis criteria is used if the acceptability of a particular alternative to interest groups, the general public, or politicians is a concern?
A) political feasibility
B) efficiency
C) equity
D) effectiveness

Accepted Answer

Political feasibility refers to the acceptability of a particular alternative to interest groups, the general public or politicians. It is concerned with the ability of a policy alternative to gain support from those who have the power to enact it. Therefore, the best policy analysis criteria to use when this is a concern is political feasibility.

Question 7

A ______ approach to policy analysis focuses on understanding the underlying conditions that are causing a public problem, while the ______ approach focuses more on how to alleviate shorter term symptoms of the problem.
A) democratic; rational
B) consensual; contentious
C) root cause; proximate cause
D) underlying; rational

Accepted Answer

The root cause approach focuses on identifying the underlying conditions causing a problem and addressing them, while the proximate cause approach focuses on addressing the immediate symptoms of the problem. None of the other answer choices accurately describe these approaches.

Question 8

Which of the following best defines the rational-comprehensive approach to policy making?
A) rigorous, complete analysis of the problem and the likely impacts of proposed policies
B) strong efforts to include public opinion in the policy-making 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 to policy making involves a rigorous and complete analysis of the problem at hand and the impacts of potential policies. It seeks to identify the best possible solution through a systematic and logical process of evaluation and comparison. This approach is often used in situations where the stakes are high and there are complex challenges that require careful consideration and thorough analysis.

Question 9

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

The question is asking about potential policy alternatives to address the issue of drivers' cell phone use, which corresponds to the "construct policy alternatives" step of the policy analysis process. While education is certainly a viable alternative, the question specifically asks about the potential use of sanctions such as tickets or fines. Therefore, A is the best answer.

Question 10

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 answer of Which of the following is most likely...

Question 11

The ______ orientation/approach to policy making often involves peer-reviewed research using controlled studies.
A) scientific
B) methodological
C) political
D) professional

Accepted Answer

The scientific orientation/approach to policy making involves using peer-reviewed research that uses controlled studies to make policy decisions. This approach emphasizes the use of evidence-based strategies and follows a systematic process of problem-solving.

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

The Clean Air Act Amendments took place in 1990.

Question 13

Which of the following policy analysis criteria would be used if a fair and just evaluation were a concern?
A) efficiency
B) equity
C) effectiveness
D) political feasibility

Accepted Answer

The policy analysis criteria that relates to a fair and just evaluation is equity. This criteria is concerned with ensuring that the distribution of benefits and costs of a policy is fair and just to all members of society. It is particularly relevant when there are vulnerable or disadvantaged populations who may be disproportionately affected by the policy.

Question 14

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 involves gathering data and analyzing it in order to develop a comprehensive policy that addresses the issue at hand. Option A illustrates this approach by describing how the government collected data about illegal immigrants and used that information to create a new policy. Option B describes a reactive decision made in response to an economic crisis, while options C and D describe decisions made to address specific problems without a comprehensive analysis of available data.

Question 15

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 lack of access to education, limited opportunities, and other factors that contribute to poverty. Therefore, studying this data could provide insights into the root causes of poverty. The other options (B, C, and D) provide information about poverty itself or its effects but do not necessarily reveal the underlying factors that create poverty.

Question 16

The purpose of policy analysis is to
A) provide information and impartial assessments of options to aid the policy-making 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 policymakers with information and impartial assessments of policy options to aid in the decision-making process. This can involve evaluating the potential impacts and costs of different policy choices and considering the perspectives and needs of various stakeholders. While policy analysis can inform the development and implementation of public policies, it is not the primary mechanism for legitimizing or rationalizing policy decisions.

Question 17

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 Center for American Progress and the Heritage Foundation are both think tanks with clear political affiliations and biases. Therefore, it is likely that they use political policy analysis to promote their preferred policies. While they may also use elements of scientific and professional policy analysis, their ultimate goal is to advocate for policies that align with their political agendas. Program evaluation may be used to assess the effectiveness of existing policies, but it is not typically used as a tool for promoting new policies.

Question 18

Which of the following conduct different kinds of policy analysis that is often very helpful to the policymaking process?
A) government agencies
B) interest groups
C) think tanks
D) all of these

Accepted Answer

all of these. Government agencies, interest groups, and think tanks all have the capability to conduct policy analysis that can provide valuable information to policymakers. Government agencies have access to data and resources that can inform policy decisions, interest groups often have specialized knowledge and expertise in specific policy areas, and think tanks are dedicated to conducting research and analysis on a wide variety of policy issues.

Question 19

The Brookings Institution was founded in ______.
A) 1900
B) 1912
C) 1918
D) 1922

Accepted Answer

The Brookings Institution was founded in 1922.

Question 20

Which of the following think tanks is not considering one of the "leading"?
A) Heritage Foundation
B) Lexington Institute
C) Brookings Institution
D) Urban Institute

Accepted Answer

The Lexington Institute is not typically considered a leading think tank compared to the others listed, which are more prominent and influential in policy discussions.

Quiz 4: Policy Analysis

Researchers and academics conduct research to develop a rigorous and in-depth understanding of public problems and policy alternatives. This approach to policy analysis is ______.

The American Enterprise Institute was founded in ______.

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 liberty. What question would they ask related to liberty?

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?

Which best describes the approaches being taken by states to address the problem of cell phone use by drivers?

Which of the following policy analysis criteria is used if the acceptability of a particular alternative to interest groups, the general public, or politicians is a concern?

A approach to policy analysis focuses on understanding the underlying conditions that are causing a public problem, while the approach focuses more on how to alleviate shorter term symptoms of the problem.

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

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?

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

The ______ orientation/approach to policy making often involves peer-reviewed research using controlled studies.

The Clean Air Act Amendments took place in ______.

Which of the following policy analysis criteria would be used if a fair and just evaluation were a concern?

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

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

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 conduct different kinds of policy analysis that is often very helpful to the policymaking process?

The Brookings Institution was founded in ______.

Which of the following think tanks is not considering one of the "leading"?