Little Bites of Big Data for Public Policy
- Donald F. Kettl - University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA
March 2017 | 96 pages | CQ Press
“Kettl’s easy-to-read book and various examples of big data application are required reading for seasoned academics as well as for students who work in public administration and want to contribute to real-world problem solving.”
–Junghack Kim, Wichita State University
Little Bites of Big Data for Public Policy brings to life the quest to make better policy with better evidence. This brief book frames the big puzzles and, through lively stories and clear examples, provides a valuable how-to guide for producing analysis that works—that speaks persuasively to policy makers, in the language they can best hear, on the problems for which they most need answers. Author Donald F. Kettl brings together the cutting-edge streams of data analytics and data visualization to frame the big puzzles and find ways to make the pieces fit together. By taking little bites of a wide variety of useful data, and then by analyzing it in ways that decision makers will find most helpful, analysts can be much more effective in shaping solutions to the most important problems governments face.
–Junghack Kim, Wichita State University
Little Bites of Big Data for Public Policy brings to life the quest to make better policy with better evidence. This brief book frames the big puzzles and, through lively stories and clear examples, provides a valuable how-to guide for producing analysis that works—that speaks persuasively to policy makers, in the language they can best hear, on the problems for which they most need answers. Author Donald F. Kettl brings together the cutting-edge streams of data analytics and data visualization to frame the big puzzles and find ways to make the pieces fit together. By taking little bites of a wide variety of useful data, and then by analyzing it in ways that decision makers will find most helpful, analysts can be much more effective in shaping solutions to the most important problems governments face.
Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Chapter 1: Knowing Better
Doing without Knowing (Everything)
The Law of Supply and Demand
Making Evidence Speak
Chapter 2: Get the Story, Get It Right
What Are the Right Questions?
What Is a Good Answer?
Chapter 3: Tell the Story
Filters
Seeing Data
Making Data Speak
Chapter 4: Sell the Story
Anecdotes
Mediating Information
Making the Sale
Chapter 5: Speak above the Noise
How to Know What We Know
Speaking above the Noise
Index