normative theory and policy evaluation Essay - 1136 Words

I. PROFESSIONAL ETHICS An interesting question concerns the ethical obligations of people who do policy analysis research. Such research often involves ethical dilemmas that relate to: 1. Whether ones purposes should include prescription or evaluation, as well as prediction or explanation. 2. Whether or not to work to maximize the interests of a political party, special interest group, or only general societal interests. 3. Focusing on intended consequences versus all consequences. 4. Efficiency versus equity as policy goals. 5. Evaluation along versus evaluation plus diverse replication as an obligation. 6. Cost-incurring versus cost-saving in research. 7. Whether or not to share ones raw data. 8. Research validity†¦show more content†¦2. Bringing up the bottom with regard to those who are least well off, as expounded by John Rawls. 3. Doing things that make everyone better off or at least no one worse off, as expounded by Vilfredo Pareto. Benefits refer to whatever the society and/or its leaders consider desirable. Costs refer to whatever is considered undesirable. Benefits and costs can refer to monetary or nonmonetary effects. Benefits and costs are interchangeable concepts depending on how they are worded. Thus, high employment is a benefit, and high unemployment is a cost, but they are the complements or inverses of each other. It makes more sense to subtract Normative Theory 89 costs from benefits in talking about overall goals than dividing costs by benefits. The subtraction criterion gives more of a net gain to ones original assets when one project is better on B-C, but another is better on B/C. Other overall goals are also defective, such as (1) merely maximizing benefits without considering costs, (2) merely minimizing costs without considering missed benefits, (3) maximizing benefits subject to a maximum cost level, (4) minimizing costs subject to a minimum benefit level, or (5) maximizing change in benefits divided by change in costs. The fifth alternative is only a means to maximizing benefits minus costs. The third and fourth alternativesShow MoreRelatedDemocracy1022 Words   |  5 PagesNormative democratic theory deals with the moral foundations of democracy and democratic institutions. It is distinct from descriptive and explanatory democratic theory. It does not offer in the first instance a scientific study of those societies that are called democratic. It aims to provide an account of when and why democracy is morally desirable as well as moral principles for guiding the design of democratic institutions. Of course, normative democratic theory is inherently inte rdisciplinaryRead MoreCritical Assessment And Communication Of Policy889 Words   |  4 Pagesguiding this study conceptualizes policy analysis as a multidisciplinary inquiry aimed at the creation, critical assessment and communication of policy-relevant information. Policy analysis is a problem-solving discipline. To solve practical problems, the analysis draws on social science methods and theories (Dunn, 2012). The methodology of policy analysis is a process of â€Å"reasoned inquiry aimed at finding solutions to practical problems† (Dunn, 2012 pp. 3). Policy analysis is methodologically heterogeneous;Read MoreA Short Note On Hed 525 Exam # 11323 Words   |  6 Pagessmart group! 1.Why do we have an entire class devoted to Health Behavior Theory?(2 pts) What is its value or application to the field of Health Education/Promotion/Public Health?(2 pts) How do professionals in our field use theory to help address health-related problems? (2 pts) An entire class is devoted to Health Behavior Theories due to the following: To gain knowledge and a foundation on how to use theories. Theories can guide the search to understand why people do or do not practice healthRead MoreBasic Methods Of Policy Analysis And Planning1163 Words   |  5 PagesThis paper is a review of Chapters 1, 2 and 3 in Patton, Sawicki, and Clark, (2012) third edition, Basic Methods of Policy Analysis and Planning. Chapter 1 discusses problem review, the analysis of difficult problems, the complexity of problems and how the decision makers will make their decisions (Patton, 2012, p. 2, 3). Chapter 2 examines the policy analysis process, the types of policy analysis, the role of the analyst and ethical considerations. Chapter 3 discusses the gathering of data, interviewingRead MoreBrief Description Of Public Policy953 Words   |  4 PagesPart A: Brief description of public policy †¢ Policy refers to a distinct path of action that is suitable for the pursuit of desired goals within a particular context, directing the decision-making or behavior of an organization or individual. There are three key elements of policies: problem definition, goals to be achieved, and policy instruments to address the problem and achieve the goal. The policy process is an activity of balancing different solutions that address aspects of complex problems:Read MoreThe On Maximizing Utility By Thomas Jefferson s Pursuit Of Happiness899 Words   |  4 Pages(Powdthavee, 2007). In other words, traditional economic theory assumes that people are expected utility maximizers and that facing a choice, a person will always select an option that provides her with the best financial outcome. Since the 1970s, however, scholars have been exploring a descriptive rather than normative approach to decision-making. Behavioral economists have shown that people rarely behave in the way assumed by classical economic theory and hence maximizing financial gains is not alwaysRead MoreEthical Implications Of Ethical Issues Essay1147 Words   |  5 Pages(Pelsmacker, Drisen and Rayp, 2005). Figure 1.1: Source: (Shaw and Shiu, 2003) 1.1.1. Theory of Reasoned Action/Theory of Planned Behavior The consumer ethical perspective can be defined by the â€Å"self-image†. The consumer would adopt ethical consumption as much as the ethical issues have become important to their self-identity. The consumer not always makes decision according to the Theory of Reasoned Action/Theory of Planned Behavior rather is also driven by value to other and self-identificationRead MoreDecision Making And The Prospect Theory1490 Words   |  6 Pagesdecision maker. In the first part of this essay, we will explore the Expected Utility theory and the Prospect Theory, which are normative and descriptive approaches to making decisions with inherent risks. The first part of the essay argues that Expected Utility Theory is a less viable hypothesis to decision making and is fundamentally flawed compared to the Prospect Theory in description and function. Prospect theory is a better model for decision making because firstly, decisions are not often madeRead MoreUtilitarianism : A Ethical Theory13 81 Words   |  6 PagesUtilitarianism is a normative theory that describes how one ought to act by evaluating the consequences of actions, thus utilitarianism is a breed of consequentialism. Consequences determine whether an act is right or wrong, so one ought to act to produce the best results. The best result is the one that maximizes utility, or produces the largest amount of good. Utilitarians define good as pleasure or happiness, since it is the only thing that is intrinsically good. This is not to say that utilitariansRead MoreSocial Responsibility Theory1420 Words   |  6 PagesResponsibility Theory To combat the pressures that threatened freedom of the press, this theory was first introduced in 1947 and was recommended by the Hutchins Commission on Freedom of the Press. It stated that the media should serve the public, and in order to do so, should remain free of government interference. It defined guidelines that the media should follow in order to fulfill its obligation of serving the public. Ethics and the Media The Social Responsibility Theory claimed that the