Methods for Policy Research (Paperback)

"Essential reading as it has the potential to help sociologists think about the ways in which their studies may be designed, conducted, and reported so that they will be relevant to policymakers."

--Network

"[With this book] I hope to alleviate some of the frustrated appeals of those social scientists who feel that their knowledge and experience have not been adequately utilized by policymakers . . . and to respond to those policymakers who have complained about the lack of relevance of social science research for helping to resolve real-world problems."

--from the Author's Preface

Ann Majchrzak presents pragmatic approaches to conducting policy research and analysis that demonstrate distinct alternatives for policymakers. Incorporating real-world issues and concrete examples, the author details the key steps in the policy research process--including preparation, problem identification, conceptualization, contextual considerations, and analysis of factors potentially causing the social problem under study. She outlines procedures for examining policy-relevant variables--in order to modify initial policy recommendations to enhance their likelihood - and emphasizes the importance of communicating to policymakers the value and applicability of research.

Ann Majchrzak's work will be an invaluable reference to professional social scientists and students--graduate and advanced undergraduate--interested in pursuing the resolution of today's complex social problems by improving public policy research results.