PADM213, Spring 2016
PADM 213 Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation
Professor Haas
https://sjsu.instructure.com/courses/1188413
Spring 2016
Clark Hall 306
Tues. eves. 6pm
Office: BT451, (more often at the Mineta
Institute at 210 N. 4th St., 4th Floor)
Phone: 924-5574 / 924-5691
Email: <via Canvas>
Hours: Tues., 3-5:00pm, and by appt
Description
This course encompasses two major approaches to supplying information for decisionmaking: (1) policy analysis and (2) program evaluation. The major objectives of this course are
to expose you to some of the central concepts in both fields and to familiarize you with some of
the tools that can be applied to important policy-related questions. Thus you will become
familiar with both the important theoretical issues of policy analysis and the more practical
techniques commonly used by analysts in government today. Our study of policy analysis will
be concerned primarily with the choice and proper utilization of various analytic strategies, tools,
and statistical models. Most of our discussions will be linked to the uses of policy analysis
techniques at the subnational and nonprofit level. Our ultimate goal is to achieve a practical
synthesis of various approaches to providing useful information to decision makers.
A closely related area of endeavor, program evaluation, embraces a wide range of
approaches, and is generally directed toward finding out whether (and how) programs work. We
will consider a range of techniques, starting with the classic experimental design to more openended “formative” evaluation methods. Then we will explore how policy analysis and program
evaluation resemble and differ from one another, and seek to synthesize the two approaches.
The primary assignment for the course is a research design that will propose in detail the
analysis or evaluation of an actual program or policy. These designs may become the core of
PADM 298 individual research projects.
Course Goals and Student Learning Objectives
GOAL: This course is intended to enable students to participate in and contribute to the
public policy process.
Course Content Learning Outcomes
LO1: Students will be able to understand the relationships between public policy, whether
proposed or enacted, and leadership and management in implementation (PADM
213)
LO2: Students will learn how to apply techniques for program evaluation and policy
LO3: Students be able to understand and apply criteria appropriate to public affairs,
administration and policy.
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PADM213, Spring 2016
Texts
Required texts for the course include:
 Patton and Sawicki, Basic Methods of Policy Analysis and Planning (3rd Ed.)
 Haas and Springer, Applied Policy Research: Concepts and Cases (Available at
https://app.box.com/s/eihaq69rju9q4tdujqv9 )
 Other reading materials are available online via the Canvas course Learning Management
System.
Course Requirements
Evaluation of student performance will be based on the following criteria: (1) class participation
(20%), professional memo (10%), (2) midterm exam, (30%), and (3) a series of three research
design papers (40%). The written assignments require students to apply policy analysis concepts
to your own agency or one that you are interested in. Additional details on the written
assignments will be forthcoming in class and via Canvas.
Canvas
Nearly all online communication –including submission of all written assignments and exams –
will occur in the context of the “Canvas” online courseware. The Canvas homepage for this
course may be accessed via https://sjsu.instructure.com/courses/1141141; students are
automatically enrolled, using their MySJSU student ID numbers and passwords as logon data.
All class related-email should be submitted via Canvas.
Class Assignments Overview
[Note: more details about each assignment will become available via the Assignments folder in
Canvas.]
1. Professional staff memo
A brief (approx. 2 pages) analysis of a specific policy problem. This assignment introduces
students to the concept of using data to support decision making, as well as the relationship
between analyst and client.
2. Problem definition
A brief (approx.. 1 page) description of an actionable research problem or issue. This
assignment introduces students to the task of identifying and delineating a specific policy
problem or issue. It is also the first step towards creating a manageable research design topic.
3. Revised problem definition and introduction
This assignment requires a more refined, specific and thorough development of the initial idea
from the previous assignment (approx. 5 pages). It also requires identification of relevant
background information, such as actors in the policy making process, stakeholders, and the
history of the issue’s development. [This assignment addresses LO1: Students will be able
to understand the relationships between public policy, whether proposed or enacted, and
leadership and management in implementation.]
PADM213, Spring 2016
4. Literature review
This assignment requires engagement with the contributions and knowledge available from
previous research and thought on the subject identified in the previous two assignments. It also
helps identify possible research strategies. (approx. 7-10 pages)
5. Research design
This side comprises of revised versions of the previous three assignments, plus a
methodologically appropriate and technically feasible strategy for collecting appropriate data to
address the issues, concerns, questions identified in those works. [This assignment addresses
LO2 “Students will learn how to apply techniques for program evaluation and policy,” and
LO3, “Students be able to understand and apply criteria appropriate to public affairs,
administration and policy.”]
PADM 213 / Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation, Spring 2016, Course Schedule
This schedule is subject to change with fair notice and how the notice will be made available. Links to readings
(and discussion facilitators) available on Canvas website under “Modules”.
Week
Date
Topics, Readings, Assignments, Deadlines
1
February 2
-- (no assignment) – Introduction and introductions.
2
February 9
-- What is policy analysis, program evaluation, and policy
research? Why do public administrators engage in these
activities?
 Assignment: Patton and Sawicki, Ch. 1,2.
 Exercises: complete #1-5* p. 19 and #1-6, p.59**
3
February 16
*focus on ONE problem, preferable local or state
**prepare for discussion purposes
-- Topic: What are the basic tools of policy analysis? How are
policy analysis questions framed?
 Assignment: Patton and Sawicki, Ch. 3,4
 Exercises: complete #7,8, p. 134 and #3,4, pp. 169
 Case study (Canvas reading): “Budget Cuts in the Basic
Health Plan.” Part 1
Professional Memo due
3
PADM213, Spring 2016
4
February 23
5
March 1
6
March 8
Establishing criteria for policy choice and identifying policy
alternatives.
 Assignment: Patton and Sawicki, Ch. 5-6.
 Exercises: complete #1, 2, 7 p.207-208 and #2 and 6, p.
238.
 Case study (Canvas reading): “Budget Cuts in the Basic
Health Plan.” Part 2
-- Analyzing and selecting alternative policies.
 Assignment: Patton and Sawicki, Ch. 7.
 Canvas reading: “An Introduction to Cost Benefit
Analysis”
 Canvas reading: “Estimating the Benefits and Costs of
Public Transit Projects: A Guidebook for
Practitioners”
 Exercises: #11, 12, 20-22 pp. 299-303.
 Case study (Canvas reading): “Budget Cuts in the Basic
Health Plan.” Part 3
--: Displaying Alternatives/Program evaluation research designs.
 Assignment: Patton and Sawicki, Ch. 8-9.
 Exercises: #4 and 9, pp. 368-370.
 Canvas reading: Before-and-after design: A simple
evaluation design
Note: policy problem topics due March 6.
7
March 15
-- More advanced evaluation designs

8
March 22
9
April 5
Canvas reading: “Quasi-experimental and experimental
designs: more powerful evaluation designs”
Revised problem definition and introduction (Paper I)
due.
Mid-term exam
What is policy research? (How can public administrators use the
techniques of policy analysis and program evaluation in a
practical way?)
 Assignment: Haas and Springer, Ch. 1-2.
 Exercises: #1,2 p. 15 and #1-3, p.46
PADM213, Spring 2016
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April 12
Techniques of program evaluation in practice.
 Assignment: Haas and Springer, Ch. 3-4.
 Exercises: #1-3, p.68 and #-13, p. 81.
 Canvas reading: Logic Model Development Guide
 Canvas reading: Maine Wellness Program Evaluation
Literature review (paper II) due.
April 19
How is policy research done in “the real world?”
 Assignment: Haas and Springer, Ch. 5-7.
 Exercises: #1 and 2, p. 107; #1-3, p.133.
-More case studies in policy research.
 Assignment: Haas and Springer, Ch. 8-11
 Exercises: #1, p. 156, and #2-4, p. 181
April 26
May 3
May 10
Program evaluation in practice at the state level: Welfare reform
in two states
 Canvas reading: Crafting Evaluation in Support of
Welfare Reform
 Canvas reading: Virginia’s Welfare Reform Initiative:
Follow-Up of Participant Outcomes
Research methods (Paper III) due
Conclusions about policy research.
 Assignment: Haas and Springer, Ch. 12-13.
In-class presentations of research designs (Power Point, PDF, or
other format) -- See Assignments Tab for submission info.
May 17
Term papers due
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