The study of public policy and the methods of policy analysis are among the most rapidly developing areas in the social sciences. Policy analysis has emerged to provide a better understanding of the policymaking process and to supply decision makers with reliable policy-relevant knowledge about pressing economic and social problems. Presenting a broad, comprehensive perspective, the Handbook of Public Policy Analysis: Theory, Politics, and Methods covers the historical development of policy analysis, its role in the policy process, and empirical methods. The handbook considers the theory generated by these methods and the normative and ethical issues surrounding their practice. Written by leading experts in the field, this book- -Deals with the basic origins and evolution of public policy -Examines the stages of the policy-making process -Identifies political advocacy and expertise in the policy process -Focuses on rationality in policy decision-making and the role of policy networks and learning -Details argumentation, rhetoric, and narratives -Explores the comparative, cultural, and ethical aspects of public policy -Explains primary quantitative-oriented analytical methods employed in policy research -Addresses the qualitative sides of policy analysis -Discusses tools used to refine policy choices -Traces the development of policy analysis in selected national contexts The Handbook of Public Policy Analysis: Theory, Politics, and Methods describes the theoretical debates that have recently defined the field, including the work of postpositivist, interpretivist, and social constructionist scholars. This book also explores the interplay between empirical and normative analysis, acrucial issue running through contemporary debates.

Describing new techniques and novel applications, Handbook of Research Methods in Public Administration, Second Edition demonstrates the use of tools designed to meet the increased complexity of problems in government and non-profit organizations with ever-more rigorous and systematic research. It presents detailed information on conceptualizing, planning, and implementing research projects involving a wide variety of available methodologies. Providing a reference of systematic research methods, this second edition explains how these techniques aid in understanding traditional issues, and reveals how they might be applied to answer emerging theoretical and practical questions.

Following a linear, logical organization, this handbook meets systematic goals and objectives through eight groups of chapters. The first group explains the logic of inquiry and the practical problems of locating existing research. The second group deals with research design and the third examines pitfalls in measurement and data collection. The authors give practical, considered advice in the fourth section to anticipate and solve data management problems. They include numerous illustrations to supplement two separate sections devoted to basic and advanced quantitative analysis. The seventh section covers unique analytical techniques used to gain insight specific to the non-market sector's knotty problems. The final section addresses the impact of research and describes how to overcome illusive, tricky, and sizeable barriers to influence other researchers, decision makers, foundations, and grant making institutions.

With a comprehensive survey of research methods and an examination of their practical andtheoretical application in the past, present, and future, Handbook of Research Methods in Public Administration, Second Edition gives you the tools to make informed decisions.

This book provides a state-of-the-art assessment of citizen participation practice and research in the United States. With contributions from a stellar group of scholars, it provides readers an overview of a field at the heart of democratic governance. Individual chapters trace shifts in participation philosophy and policy, examine trends at different government levels, analyze technology/participation interactions, identify the participation experiences of minority populations, and explore the impact of voluntary organizations on this topic. A five-chapter section illustrates innovative cases. Another section explores the role of various methodologies in advancing participation research. The scope, depth, and timeliness of the coverage fills two voids in the public administration literature. First, the book provides a unique collection of articles for graduate courses in citizen participation and democratic governance. The volume also offers an excellent compendium for researchers who are at the frontline of participation research and practice.

This book provides a state-of-the-art assessment of citizen participation practice and research in the United States. With contributions from a stellar group of scholars, it provides readers an overview of a field at the heart of democratic governance. Individual chapters trace shifts in participation philosophy and policy, examine trends at different government levels, analyze technology/participation interactions, identify the participation experiences of minority populations, and explore the impact of voluntary organizations on this topic. A five-chapter section illustrates innovative cases. Another section explores the role of various methodologies in advancing participation research. The scope, depth, and timeliness of the coverage fills two voids in the public administration literature. First, the book provides a unique collection of articles for graduate courses in citizen participation and democratic governance. The volume also offers an excellent compendium for researchers who are at the frontline of participation research and practice.

a volume in Research on International Civic Engagement Series Editors Erik Bergrud, Park University and Kaifeng Yang, Florida State University The Pew Charitable Trusts defines civic engagement as ""Individual and collective actions designed to identify and address issues of public concern. Civic engagement can take many forms, from individual volunteerism to organizational involvement to electoral participation. It can include efforts to directly address an issue, work with others in a community to solve a problem or interact with the institutions of representative democracy. Civic engagement encompasses a range of activities such as working in a soup kitchen, serving on a neighborhood association, writing a letter to an elected official or voting."" While publications on civic engagement have increased in recent years, there are some limitations or unfilled needs: (1) There is a lack of international perspectives; (2) There is a lack of management focus; (3) There are increasing demands on publications regarding online civic engagement; (4) They tend to be fragmented in individual disciplines such as Nonprofit management, political science, public administration, and sociology. We need a cross-disciplinary approach. Significant features: (1) Each book will have an international focus with contributions from around the world. It stimulates the sharing of experiences across countries. (2) Each book will focus on one cutting-edge topic that has not been carefully addressed in the literature. (3) Emphasizing the integration of research and practice, each book will provide both advanced research studies and innovative best practices. (4) Addressing both offline and online civic engagement. (5) A management focus so that books will provide practitioners insights on how to improve their managerial practices that relate to civic engagement.

a volume in Research on International Civic Engagement Series Editors Erik Bergrud, Park University and Kaifeng Yang, Florida State University The Pew Charitable Trusts defines civic engagement as ""Individual and collective actions designed to identify and address issues of public concern. Civic engagement can take many forms, from individual volunteerism to organizational involvement to electoral participation. It can include efforts to directly address an issue, work with others in a community to solve a problem or interact with the institutions of representative democracy. Civic engagement encompasses a range of activities such as working in a soup kitchen, serving on a neighborhood association, writing a letter to an elected official or voting."" While publications on civic engagement have increased in recent years, there are some limitations or unfilled needs: (1) There is a lack of international perspectives; (2) There is a lack of management focus; (3) There are increasing demands on publications regarding online civic engagement; (4) They tend to be fragmented in individual disciplines such as Nonprofit management, political science, public administration, and sociology. We need a cross-disciplinary approach. Significant features: (1) Each book will have an international focus with contributions from around the world. It stimulates the sharing of experiences across countries. (2) Each book will focus on one cutting-edge topic that has not been carefully addressed in the literature. (3) Emphasizing the integration of research and practice, each book will provide both advanced research studies and innovative best practices. (4) Addressing both offline and online civic engagement. (5) A management focus so that books will provide practitioners insights on how to improve their managerial practices that relate to civic engagement.

"The orientation of this text, the variety of applications examined, and the grouping of chapters around concepts such as the role of citizens, quality measurement, and performance budgeting makes this an ideal book for the classroom as well as for reference." PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION REVIEW

The International Handbook of Practice-Based Performance Management presents the latest scholarship in performance measurement strategies in the field of evaluation. This important resource combines cutting-edge theory and practice of performance management in the United States and abroad. The book includes contributions from internationally known scholars and practitioners who present chapters that introduce the literature on key topics and provide clear guidance on practical skill building. Key Features: Offers an international perspective: Though most of the chapters deal with performance measurement in the United States, the text represents the most notable examples of performance measurement in Canada, Latin America, Asia, Oceania, and Europe. Integrates theory and practice: The book s unique structure links literature-based conceptual knowledge with the lessons from practice and specific applied skills. Puts theoretical discussions into context: Case examples and lessons learned connect concepts to the real world while discussion questions allow for further deliberation.

Intended AudienceAn excellent addition to any academic library, this resource is ideal for practitioners, academics, and researchers in public administration, non-profit organizations, management, public policy, health care services administration, and health care planning and policy. It can also be used as a text for graduate courses such as Performance Management, Management Reforms, International Performance Management, and Performance Improvement in Public Administration."