MPA Public Policy Analysis 2

Question 1

What is 'incrementalism' as a model of public policy decision-making?

Accepted Answer

A theory that policy-making involves small, marginal changes from the existing policy baseline rather than comprehensive reform

Answer

The process of rapidly overhauling entire policy systems

Answer

A method of ranking policy alternatives by their marginal cost

Answer

Gradual training of new public administrators

Question 2

In the context of public policy, what is a 'wicked problem'?

Accepted Answer

A complex, ill-defined problem with no clear solution, where interventions often create new problems

Answer

A policy problem caused by corrupt politicians

Answer

A criminal justice issue requiring legislative action

Answer

A budgetary crisis caused by deficit spending

Question 3

Which type of policy evaluation assesses whether a program is being implemented as designed?

Accepted Answer

Process (formative) evaluation

Answer

Summative evaluation

Answer

Impact evaluation

Answer

Needs assessment

Question 4

What is the 'logic model' tool used for in program evaluation?

Accepted Answer

Visually mapping the relationships between program inputs, activities, outputs, and intended outcomes

Answer

Performing statistical analysis of program outcomes

Answer

Auditing financial transactions in a government agency

Answer

Scheduling legislative hearings for program review

Question 5

The Administrative Procedure Act (APA) of 1946 in the United States primarily governs:

Accepted Answer

The process federal agencies must follow when creating, amending, or repealing regulations

Answer

Civil service hiring and promotion

Answer

Congressional oversight of federal agencies

Answer

The federal budget formulation process

Question 6

What does a 'randomized controlled trial' (RCT) offer in policy evaluation that other methods typically cannot?

Accepted Answer

The strongest causal evidence that a program caused observed outcomes by randomly assigning participants to treatment and control groups

Answer

Lower cost of data collection

Answer

Broader generalizability across all policy contexts

Answer

Faster turnaround of evaluation findings