Includes index. Meltzer, R., & Schwartz, A. (2019). Policy analysis as problem solving: A flexible and evidence-based framework (1st ed.). New York, NY: Routledge.

Introduction -- Organization of the Book -- Case Studies: Child Support Debt and Electoral Participation -- References -- Chapter 1: What Is Policy Analysis? Mainstream and Alternative Perspectives -- What Is Policy Analysis? -- Policy Analysis as Part of the Larger Policy Process -- The "Rational Model" of Policy Analysis -- Critiques of the Rational Model -- Alternative Models of Policy Analysis -- Summary: Using the Rational Model Flexibly -- References -- Chapter 2: Defining the Problem and Setting the Stage -- The Rationalistic Approach -- Alternative Perspectives -- How to Establish a Problem Statement -- Using Evidence to Frame the Nature of the Problem -- Summary -- Child Support Debt Case: Defining the Problem -- References -- Chapter 3: Devising Alternative Policy Options -- Approaches for Generating Alternatives -- Modeling Alternatives on Existing or Previous Programs and Policies -- Alternative Strategies for Developing Alternatives -- Insights From Behavioral Economics and Related Fields -- Insights From the Filed of Design -- Summary -- Child Support Debt Case: Alternative Policy Options -- References -- Chapter 4: Objectives and Criteria -- What Are Criteria? --Where Do Criteria Come From? -- Constructing Effective Criteria and Measures -- Two Common Pitfalls -- The Analytical Matrix -- Summary -- Child Support Debt Case: Criteria -- References -- Chapter 5: Technical Aspects of Policy Analysis Discounting, Cost-Benefit Analysis, and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis -- Discounting: Accounting for Time Value of Money -- CBA Introduced -- What Is CBA? -- Why CBA Is Hard to Do in Practice -- Using CBA Flexibly and Pragmatically -- An Alternative to CBA: CEA -- Summary -- References -- Chapter 6: Analysis and Making Recommendations -- Prediction and Estimation -- Additional Considerations When Projecting Outcomes -- Comparison of Outcomes -- Making Recommendations -- Summary -- Child Support Debt Case: Analysis of Policy Options and Recommendations -- References -- Chapter 7: Research and Policy Analysis -- The Role and Purpose of Research in Policy Analysis -- The Research Plan -- Documents -- Interviews and Focus Groups -- Public Events and Site Visits -- Data Sets -- Surveys -- Case Studies and "Best Practices" -- Summary -- Child Support Debt Case: Research Methods and Data Sources -- References -- Chapter 6: Policy Analysis in Practice -- Where Do Policy Analysis Work? -- Policy Analysis Need Good Communication Skills -- An Ethical Code for Policy Analyst? -- Ethical Analyses Versus Ethical Practices -- Challenges to Incorporating Ethics Into Policy Analysis -- How to Conduct Ethical Policy Analysis -- Summary -- Child Support Debt Case: Ethical Dilemmas -- References -- Chapter 9: Epilogue -- What's Next?