Deck 4: Policy Analysis From a Historical Perspective

Question 1

Eve Smith's study of early 20^th century orphanages concluded that past children's institutions would not be appropriate models for contemporary children institutions because:

A)Early 20^th century orphanages primarily served children of poor single mothers who remained actively involved in decisions affecting their children. _{b) Early 20}^th _{century orphanages primarily served children on a temporary basis.}
C)Early 20^th century orphanages served few children with high levels of emotional and physical problems.
D)All of the above.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

______________ occurs when a researcher makes broad generalizations based on limited facts and failing to test assumptions with negative examples.

A)cross-cultural error
B)generalizing beyond the facts
C)predicting backwards
D)causal ordering error

Answer 2

B

Question 3

The first step in a historical policy analysis is:

A)The formation of a hypothesis or guiding framework.
B)Gathering evidence.
C)Evaluating and interpreting evidence.
D)Determining what the evidence means.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Because a historical analysis analyzes a policy's or program's goals and effects,such analysis evaluates:

A)the manifest or openly acknowledged functions of the policy or program.
B)the latent or indirect functions of the policy or program.
C)both the manifest and latent functions of the policy or program.
D)neither the manifest nor the latent functions of the policy or program

Question 5

Some researchers criticize the historical approach as lacking the scientific precision of other methods.

Question 6

The best historical policy analysis relies upon:

A)Primary data sources.
B)Secondary data sources.
C)Both a and b.
D)Neither a nor b.

Question 7

In regards to reliability of sources,the best defense is:

A)the use of only primary sources.
B)never trusting any source.
C)having multiple sources.
D)None of the above.

Question 8

Historical policy analysis cannot provide:

A)Neat formulas for avoiding past mistakes with clear descriptions of what caused certain events.
B)Suggestions from past failures and successes of what might work today.
C)An awareness of the importance of social,political,and economic factors in policy issues.
D)An understanding of where we've been in order to understand where we are today.

Question 9

One of the most important tasks in historical analysis is:

A)the formulation of the hypotheses or guiding questions.
B)searching for secondary data sources.
C)identifying key variables
D)None of the above.

Question 10

Edward Berkowitz' study of disability policies did not recommended:

A)Increased cash assistance for people with a disability.
B)Distinguishing between those who should retire on a disability pension and those who are capable and interested in returning to work.
C)The development of "independence initiatives" to assist those capable and interested in returning to work.
D)Vouchers for attendant care,modification of transportation,and removal of architectural barriers.

Question 11

Important questions for the historical policy analyst to ask of the sources do not include:

A)What do other historians say about the document?
B)Is the source authentic?
C)What was the condition of the witness of the event?
D)What was the intent of the document in question?

Question 12

In regards to evaluation and interpretation of historical evidence,the end product or conclusion will:

A)relate to the guiding questions or hypotheses
B)support current policy options.
C)clearly reflect personal bias of the researcher.
D)always shape social welfare policy makers.

Question 13

Predicting backwards from the results to motives neglects the important role of policy implementation's influence on results.

Question 14

Which of the following is not an example of a common error in historical interpretation?

A)Cross-cultural errors and Presentism.
B)Generalizing beyond the facts.
C)Reducing a multitude of historical factors into a single explanation.
D)Use of statistical analyses.

Question 15

Even though agency histories are rarely written down in a formal fashion,historical policy analysis can be used effectively to understand agency programs and policies.

Question 16

One indication the quality of a historical policy analysis is:

A)the complexity of the factors considered.
B)the simplicity of the solutions provided.
C)the reputation of the scholar conducting the research
D)None of the above

Question 17

As historical evidence is gathered,it must be evaluated and interpreted.

Question 18

Which is not an example of an essential skill of analysis and critical judgment in historical analysis?

A)The development of hypotheses or guiding questions.
B)Systematic gathering and analysis of evidence to understand relationships between factors.
C)The discovery of patterns or the creation of principles to explain these relationships.
D)Control of rival hypotheses in an experimental context.

Question 19

An understanding of the outcomes of previous policies:

A)is rarely important to modern policy options.
B)may be faulty and should be avoided
C)helps us evaluate present proposals and claims for success
D)None of these choices

Question 20

Funding changes had little influence on the work of the Benton Park Crisis Center.

Question 21

Consider the statement that,"it's good to be skeptical of everyone." Why is this important when evaluating sources as part of a historical analysis? What are the important considerations when evaluating the reliability of sources?

Question 22

Assume that you were recently hired as the new substance abuse program director at Benton Park Crisis Center.What do you think would be some of your biggest challenges in adapting to this work environment? What tensions would you anticipate based on the specific history of the organization?

Question 23

Outline the important task in a historical analysis? What are the critical considerations for each step? What are some of the limitations and strengths of this approach?

Question 24

Using the colonial poor relief,orphan asylum,and disability examples,illustrate why the formation of a hypothesis or guiding framework is so important to historical analysis.

Question 25

Critically analyze Geoffrey Guest's study of colonial poor relief documents.What additional evidence would you require before you would agree with the conclusion that boarding-out was driven by economic factors?