Foundations-of-public-policy-research-and-methods-Statswork
                     FOUNDATIONS OF 
PUBLIC  POLICY 
RESEARCH AND  
METHODS
An Academic presentation by
Dr. Nancy Agens, Head, Technical Operations, 
Statswork  Group www.statswork.com
Email: [email protected]
TODAY'S 
DOuItSlinCeU ofS SION
Topics Introduction
Characteristics of Public 
Policy  Features of Public 
Policy  Types of Public Policy
Models of Policy Making
Foundation Approaches to 
Public Policy
Introductio
n
Public policies can be defined as the decision taken by government in order to achieve 
 certain goals and objectives formulated for the welfare of its people.
Implementing and formulating the policies decided are based on a properly oriented 
pattern.
In other words the associated government agencies should be able to observe a well  
defined relation between the policies implemented and formulated in order to decide the 
 course of their activities.
Characteristics of Public 
Policy
Goal oriented: The public policies defined by different organizations are formulated on the 
 basis of a certain goal or are planned keeping in mind a particular goal which will be  
beneficial for the people of the country.
Public policies indicates the government’s perspective towards existing policies and also 
 leads to framing of new law and orders, ordinances etc.
Another significant characteristic of public policy is that it depicts the interest and concern of 
 government to a scrupulous issue of the masses.
Features of Public 
Policy
The process of public policy includes different components which are able to communicate  
with each other and employ different methods for communicating with each other.
The public policy involves different activities that are continuously working in a structure.
There are different components of policy making, which have their own contribution, values,  
restrictions or special conditions and issues.
This feature of the policy making indicates that the different components of policy making 
 impose their own contribution to the policy formulated.
Contd..
The process of policy making imposes different guidelines which are to be followed.
This feature of policy making presents numerous elements of uncertainty which is 
 actually the basic tone of majority of the policy making processes.
Public policies are mostly enabled or formulated by governmental bodies. Under some 
 conditions or for some special parts of the policies the perspective of private  
organizations is also considered.
Undeniably, the public policies are specially designed for achieving the public interest.
Types of Public 
Policy
There are several types of public policy. A snippet of each of them is given as follows: like 
 substantive, regulatory, distributive, redistributive etc.
Substantive: These policies are mostly associated with the welfare and development of the 
 general masses.
Regulatory: These policies exhibit their association with formulating different policies for 
 trade, business activities etc.
Distributive: These policies are specially planned for some particular segments of society 
 such as health services, public welfare etc.
Redistributive: These policies are actually distributive policies which are redesigned or 
 modified in accordance with social and economic changes.
Contd..
Fig 1. Types 
of  Public 
Policy
Models of Policy 
Making
Group Theoretic Model:
A group includes some individuals who possess certain common characteristics and relationship. 
 These groups are classified into different categories such as formal, informal etc.
Elite Theoretical Model:
This model suggests that a policy is caused by elites, depicting their values and fulfilling their needs. 
 The model reflects that the society is categorized into few who have power and some who do not  
have power.
This policy is then put into action by bureaucracy.
Contd..
Institutional model:
This model explains that the public policies are framed and then put into action by 
 institutions.
These institutions are not only responsible for deciding how to frame the policies rather  
they also decide content to be included in policy.
Rational model:
This model rather than deciding the different aspects of policy aims at estimating its efficiency  
on the basis of benefits and losses caused by it socially, economically and politically.
Foundation Approaches to Public 
Policy
Provide financial support for different public policies which can exhibit better impact of the policy.
Offer information from numerous sources which can present the views towards existing and 
 upcoming policy issues.
Establish strong connectivity between individuals and organizations, thus putting different 
 resources and skills fostering discussion on various policy issues.
Establish reputation as promising policy makers.
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