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Policy Analysis for Social Workers
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Policy Analysis for Social Workers

First Edition

A unique, multi-dimensional approach to policy analysis



October 2013 | 352 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
Policy Analysis for Social Workers offers a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to understanding the process of policy development and analysis for effective advocacy. This user-friendly model helps students get excited about understanding policy as a product, a process, and as performance—a unique “3-P” approach to policy analysis as competing texts often just focus on one of these areas. Author Richard K Caputo efficiently teaches the purpose of policy and its relation to social work values, discusses the field of policy studies and the various kinds of analysis, and highlights the necessary criteria (effectiveness, efficiency, equity, political feasibility, social acceptability, administrative, and technical feasibility) for evaluating public policy. 

 
Introduction
 
Section I. The World of Policy Analysis
 
Chapter 1: Science, Values, and Policy Analysis
 
Chapter 2: The Purpose of Policy Analysis
 
Chapter 3: Approaches to Policy Analysis
 
Section II. Policy as Product
 
Chapter 4: Evaluating Policy Proposals
 
Chapter 5: Matching Policy Proposals to Problems
 
Chapter 6: Costs, Benefits, and Risks
 
Chapter 7: Applying Cost-Benefit Analysis
 
Section III. Policy as Process
 
Chapter 8: Making Policy
 
Chapter 9: Implementing Policy
 
Section IV. Policy as Performance
 
Chapter 10: Approaches to Evaluation
 
Chapter 11: Evaluation, Values, and Theory
 
Epilogue: A Holistic Framework for Policy Analysis
 
Appendix A: CSWE Core Competencies
 
Appendix B: Historical Overview of Policy Analysis and Policy Studies
 
Web Sites & Glossary
 
References
 
Index

I decided to adopt the text given the examples presented in the work and given the focus of the course

Professor Glorimar Caraballo
Graduate School of Public Health, University of Puerto Rico
April 23, 2015
Key features

A unique "3P" framework offers a multi-dimensional approach to policy analysis.

  • "Policy as Product” addresses topics such as evaluating policy proposals, linking proposals to problems, and cost-benefits analysis.
  • "Policy as Process" discusses policymaking and implementing policies.
  • "Policy as Performance" includes approaches to evaluation and their relation to values and theories.

Chapter-opening core competencies cover the material deemed essential by the Council on Social Work Education.

A distinctive "Cases in Point" feature provides concrete examples or applications of relevant concepts or skills needed for mastery of policy analysis.  

Skill-building exercises are included at the end of each chapter.

A helpful glossary defines technical terms for easy reference.

A useful appendix provides a historical overview of the institutional development of policy analysis, the policy sciences, and the role of think tanks.

Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter 4

Chapter 8


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