1. Getting started: defining
policy research, first steps
Definitions
first steps

2. Definitions
Definitions of policy research
 Majchrzak, 1984, p. 12 - interpretation
(a) Process of conducting primary research or analysing existing data
on
(b) Fundamental social problem
(c) Purpose (client oriented objective): provide policy makers with
pragmatic, action- oriented recommendations for alleviating the
problem
 Check ‘policy analysis article’ in en.wikipedia.org (2012) :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Policy_analysis
>> prescriptive: Analysis for policy
 Policy research can also be conducted as analysis of policy by
academic universities: fundamental science

3. Policy research process
 From first steps ( Bardach ) back to
Exploring the issue

4. Getting started- Pierre’s note 1
cf Patton and Sawicki
What factor of the problem is most important to
your client? >> Bardach step 1: define the problem
 Learn to focus quickly on central decision criterion (or
criteria) on which the decision likely to be made?
>> Bardach step 4 : select the criteria
Examples of criteria:
 Will it be minimizing the cost of some service?
 Or might it be able to spend more effectively the funds?
>> survey major implementation risks related to
poor or late communications or
risks of the (possible) framing amongst an audience

5. Preceeding step 1: explore
Source 1- Bardach p 79- 94:
 how to proceed efficiently (incl. research
interviews: )
a) Write a memo about what you already know
b) Locate relevant sources – documents and
persons;
c) Gaining and maintaining access to sources
d) Accumulate background info as leverage
e) Protect political credibility
Remark: part of this takes place AFTER step 1

6. Adaptations for your project
 look for overviews on your topic and related
issues. Look in various directions and cross
borders. Include possible opponents and
independent institutions;
 In communications policy advice: scan articles
from various media on your topic and related
issues. Identify what is presented as best and
worst practices. Analyze who seem to be
stakeholders and what might be a reputation
risk and what aspect may help building a
positive image.

7. Explore – 2: Majchrzak, chapter 2
Four topics of issues to be clarified:
A. Policy making context of problem
B. Range of definitions and values held
C. Types of feasible recommendations
D. Resources needed and available

8. (A) First issue : policy making context
 identify policy issues,
 understand decision making processes
(six types) e.g. consequences of US Dodd-Frank Act
like EU- rules on the transparency in the upstream
operations for biomass production; cf with

9. (B) Range of values and definitions
 Differences between kinds of biomass; eco-
efficiency , various aspects of sustainability
relating to use of renewable resources for gas
Most of all consult authoritative newspapers and websites
ran by independent or critical experts
Tease out the interests, values and principles at stake

10. C. Types of feasible recommendations
 This looks like Bardach step 3
 Important: feasible
 BUT- please consult main ideas from
Majchrzak p 31. >> look also for options
that imply fundamental change:

Example 1- Banerjee & Duflo (2012) Poor Economics
 Do you know examples of ‘re-thinking the problem’ policy
options?
 Is ethics important? Suggest some radical unethical
policy options

11. D. Resources needed and available
Consult some independent authors to get
acquainted with vocabulary and issues:
 Google Scholar article ‘Waste biomass-to-energy supply
chain management: A critical synthesis’ Iakovou c.s.
2010.
PRICE/ availability- If to expensive: ask in our library or
ask client OR move to overviews in other sources

Article ‘Smart Grid’ (2012) in en.wikipedia.com – like
many other sources of disputed neutrality
Identify relevant policy makers and commissions

12. Snowballing: accept other
languages
 Quote about conference to be held in december WTC Rotterdam:
“De lange termijn focus voor de BioBased Economy vanuit Den
Haag en Brussel. D. Corbey, Voorzitter, Commissie
Duurzaamheidsvraagstukken Biomassa “ .. SNOWBALLING
brought me at ‘Dutch sustainability policy for biomass 2008-
2011’
 After surfing with the name of Annelies Huygen, energy expert at
TNO one may find: dr. Simone Pront-van Bommel (red.) (2010) De
consument en de andere kant van de elektriciteitsmarkt
 These items relate also to step 3 from ‘steps to informationm inquiry’
in Majchrzak: Analyze legislative history and policy issues’

13. step 2 and 3 for information inquiry
 Source - Majchrzak (1984) p 34 – 35
 Step 2:
Identify key policy issues (Topic of assignment 1 )
 Step 3:
Analyze legislative history and policy issues
Advice:
Include the major issues resulting from step 3 either in your context
statement (preferably) or
refer to them by means of a research question in your research
design

14. Next week
 First draft of your problem statement :
Tuesday 25 September before 16.00
 Criteria (in MOSCOW style: Must,
Should, Could ..)
 MUST be affirmative and relate to a
communications policy issue
 SHOULD apply step 1 from Bardach (2012)
 COULD contain the a and b element stated in
Verschuren & Doorewaard (p 34)

15. Remember: your client wants to
hear a unbiased line of thought
Consult:
 Bardach (2012) step 8 ‘Tell your story’
 from Pierre’s lecture- note 3:
Give an analysis, not decisions
Quote
“Policy analysts and planners usually give advice to their clients; they do not
make decisions for them. This has important implications for the types of
analyses that are done and even more importantly, for the methods of
communicating the results of analysis. The client will make the final choice
and should be able to reanalyze the policy data. This means that critical
assumptions, values, and uncertainties must be reported.”
 A good policy analysis does not guarantee that the
optimal solution will be selected or implemented. Why
not?