Browsing by Author "Garoot Suleiman Eissa"

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    A Primer in Public Policy Analysis Techniques and Methods
    (Published by: IIUM Press International Islamic University Malaysia, 2012) Garoot Suleiman Eissa; Abdul Rauf Ambali
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    A Primer in Public Policy Analysis Techniques and Methods
    (©IIUM Press, IIUM, 2012) Garoot Suleiman Eissa; Abdul Raufu Ambali
    This is a concise introductory text for undergraduates at the advanced level, produced for the main purpose of presenting a field of knowledge that is judged as difficult and requiring much preparation in economics and quantitative methods in a manner that is simple and conducive to student learning. Textbooks in this field are generally considered difficult by students at this level of instruction. Nonetheless, the present text discusses the most central issues in policy analysis, in simple terms and reviews the basic techniques employed to guide analysis. However, the book may also prove useful in another dimension: the use of local examples and cases in addition to the authors’ own examples which would serve to ease students’ comprehension. Popular texts such as Dunn (1994) or Weimer and Vining (1999) often address American readers and use American examples throughout. Another book on welfare economics is also required at the undergraduate level but one which we usually use in postgraduate classes. The need for a primer on the subject thus appears timely. The first chapter of this book defines, rationalizes and explains public policy as well as the practice of public policy analysis. The second chapter discusses relevant issues as a useful background to policy analysis: the policymaking process and the place of policy analysis in it; policy analysis as welfare economics; policy analysis as rational choice; and finally, policy analysis in political decision making. The authors are of the opinion that policy analysis is a combination of all of these approaches. Chapter three is the first chapter pertaining to the process of analysis; it handles problem analysis, which includes problem identification, problem definition, problem structuring and problem modeling. The fourth chapter seeks to explain the techniques and methods of forecasting, classified under quantitative or qualitative techniques. Forecasting is central to policy analysis because the consequences of policies, aimed at finding solutions to social problems, and since it involves the future, it is important to speculate about the future.