Methods of the Policy Process

300 Pages·2022·19.154 MB·English

by  Christopher M. Weible, Samuel Workman

i
“More than a supplemental guide to Theories of the Policy Process: The book
offers a fantastic overview and inspiring insights into gathering and ana-
lyzing data about policy processes. Thereby, the book not only provides the
necessary tools for empirically-g rounded research, but also for advancing
theories of the policy process.”
Florence Metz, University of Twente, Netherlands
“Methods of the Policy Process articulates best practices for applying policy
process theories while emphasizing flexibility and creativity. It is an essen-
tial resource for scholars seeking to design and conduct rigorous, theory-
driven research that better illuminates the complex dynamics of modern
policymaking.”
Elizabeth A. Koebele, University of Nevada, USA
“An eclectic methodological roadmap for new and experienced scholars.
The volume edited by Christopher Weible and Samuel Workman presents
a wide variety of research strategies, from different theoretical traditions
in policy studies. It is an essential book that advances the discussion about
methods and offers a major contribution to the global community of public
policy academics.”
Osmany Porto de Oliveira, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil
iii
Methods of the Policy Process
The increasingly global study of policy processes faces challenges with
scholars applying theories in radically different national and cultural contexts.
Questions frequently arise about how to conduct policy process research
comparatively and among this global community of scholars. Methods of the
Policy Process is the first book to remedy this situation, not by establishing an
orthodoxy or imposing upon the policy process community a rigid way of
conducting research but, instead, by allowing the leading researchers in the
different theoretical traditions a space to share the means by which they put
their research into action.
This edited volume serves as a companion volume and supplemental guide
to the well-e stablished Theories of the Policy Process, 4th Edition. Methods of the
Policy Process acknowledges that growth and advancement in the study of the
policy process is dependent not merely on conceptual and theoretical devel-
opment, but also on developing and systematizing better methodological
approaches to measurement and analysis. To maximize student engagement
with the material, each chapter follows a similar framework: introduction of
a given theory of the policy process, application of that theory (including
best practices for research design, conceptualization, major data sources,
data collection, and methodological approaches), critical assessment, future
directions, and often online resources (including datasets, survey instruments,
and interview and coding protocols). While the structure and focus of each
chapter varies slightly according to the theoretical tradition being discussed,
each chapter’s central aim is to prepare readers to confidently undertake
common methodological strategies themselves.
Methods of the Policy Process is especially beneficial to people new to the
field, including students enrolled in policy process courses, as well as those
without access to formal training. For scholars experienced in applying the-
ories, this edited volume is a helpful reference to clarify best practices in
research methods.
iv
Christopher M. Weible is Professor in the School of Public Affairs at the
University of Colorado Denver. His research focuses on conflict and col-
laboration in policy processes. He is the Editor of the Theories of the Policy
Process, Co- Editor of Policy & Politics, and Co- Director of the Center for
Policy and Democracy.
Samuel Workman is Professor of Political Science and Director of the
Institute for Policy Research and Public Affairs in the Rockefeller School
of Policy and Politics at West Virginia University. His work is focused on
public policy, agenda setting, the bureaucracy, regulatory policy, and research
methodology. He is Principal Investigator on the Education Regulations
Project (EdRegs), funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), and
the author of The Dynamics of Bureaucracy in the U.S. Government. His work
has appeared in the Policy Studies Journal, the Journal of Public Administration
Research and Theory, Policy and Politics, Interest Groups and Advocacy, and Towards
Data Science, among others. He is a founding Editor of 3Streams with William
Resh and Heath Brown. His popular writing focuses on data science and
rural public policy, especially politics and public policy in Appalachia.
v
Methods of the Policy
Process
Edited by
Christopher M. Weible and
Samuel Workman
vi
Cover image: © Getty Images
First published 2022
by Routledge
605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158
and by Routledge
4 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4RN
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2022 Taylor & Francis
The right of Christopher M. Weible & Samuel Workman to be identified as the
authors of the editorial material, and of the authors for their individual chapters,
has been asserted in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright,
Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised
in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or
hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information
storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks,
and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe.
Library of Congress Cataloging- in- Publication Data
Names: Weible, Christopher M., editor. | Workman, Samuel, 1979– editor.
Title: Methods of the policy process/edited by Samuel Workman &
Christopher M. Weible.
Identifiers: LCCN 2021051504 (print) | LCCN 2021051505 (ebook) |
ISBN 9781032215839 (hardback) | ISBN 9781032215723 (paperback) |
ISBN 9781003269083 (ebook)
Subjects: LCSH: Policy sciences–Methodology. |
Policy sciences–Research. | Political planning–Research.
Classification: LCC H97 .M474 2022 (print) |
LCC H97 (ebook) | DDC 320.6–dc23/eng/20220126
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021051504
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021051505
ISBN: 978- 1- 032- 21583- 9 (hbk)
ISBN: 978- 1- 032- 21572- 3 (pbk)
ISBN: 978- 1- 003- 26908- 3 (ebk)
DOI: 10.4324/ 9781003269083
Typeset in Bembo
by Newgen Publishing UK
vii
Contents
List of Figures ix
List of Tables x
List of Contributors xi
1 The Design of Policy Process Research 1
SAMUEL WORKMAN AND CHRISTOPHER M. WEIBLE
2 How to Conduct a Multiple Streams Study 23
REIMUT ZOHLNHÖFER, NICOLE HERWEG,
AND NIKOLAOS ZAHARIADIS
3 The Code and Craft of Punctuated Equilibrium 51
SAMUEL WORKMAN, FRANK R. BAUMGARTNER, AND
BRYAN D. JONES
4 Methods for Applying Policy Feedback Theory 80
MALLORY SORELLE AND JAMILA MICHENER
5 Advocacy Coalition Framework: Advice on Applications
and Methods 105
ADAM DOUGLAS HENRY, KARIN INGOLD, DANIEL NOHRSTEDT,
AND CHRISTOPHER M. WEIBLE
6 Conducting Narrative Policy Framework Research:
From Theory to Methods 137
MICHAEL D. JONES, MARK K. MCBETH, ELIZABETH A. SHANAHAN,
AARON SMITH- WALTER, AND GEOBOO SONG
7 Innovation and Diffusion: Connecting Theory and
Method 181
ANDREW KARCH
viii
viii Contents
8 Methods for Analyzing Social Dilemmas and
Institutional Arrangements Within the Institutional
Analysis and Development Framework 208
EDELLA SCHLAGER, SABA SIDDIKI, AND MICHAEL COX
9 Methodological Approaches to the Ecology of Games
Framework 233
MARK LUBELL, MATTHEW HAMILTON, JACK MEWHIRTER,
FRANCESCA VANTAGGIATO, AND RAMIRO BERARDO
10 The Evaluation and Advancement of Policy Process
Research 263
CHRISTOPHER M. WEIBLE AND SAMUEL WORKMAN
Index 280
ix
Figures
1.1 Concepts, indicators, and measures 11
3.1 The tradeoff of validity and reliability 57
3.2 Topics related to the study of fish in the CAP 58
3.3 Three characteristics of distributions 61
4.1 Streams of policy feedback inquiry 81
6.1 How to conduct NPF research 138
6A.1 Mapping an NPF research design 166
9.1 Examples of bonding and bridging social capital motifs for
different kinds of networks 250
x
Tables
4.1 Key conceptual elements of policy feedback processes 83
5.1 Belief systems in the ACF 109
5.2 Coordination, resources, and strategies of advocacy
coalitions 113
5A.1 Categories of policy actors and coalitions and their
definitions 128
5A.2a Methods of data gathering (one key example of recent or
relevant illustration) 130
5A.2b Methods of data analysis (one key example of recent or
relevant illustration) 132
5A.3 Advantages and disadvantages of different data sources 133
5A.4 Concepts, attributes, and measurements 134
6.1 Level of analysis in NPF research questions 140
6A.1 NPF concepts and corresponding literature 167
8.1 Comparison across methods 223
10.1 Scientific principles for contributing knowledge in
theory- based policy process research 266