Policy Analytics: Definitions, Components, Methods, and Illustrative Examples

J. Ramon Gil-Garcia (), Theresa A. Pardo () and Luis F. Luna-Reyes ()
Additional contact information
J. Ramon Gil-Garcia: University at Albany, State University of New York
Theresa A. Pardo: University at Albany, State University of New York
Luis F. Luna-Reyes: University at Albany, State University of New York

A chapter in Policy Analytics, Modelling, and Informatics, 2018, pp 1-16 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract There are many ways to define policy analytics. In fact, different terms are used for what could be considered the same phenomenon: the use of data and analytical techniques to make policy decisions. Policy analytics, policy modelling, and policy informatics are just some of the most used terms by scholars and practitioners. There is no clarity, however, in terms of where the boundaries of this concept lie and what main analytical methods it includes. First, regarding the conceptual boundaries, some experts argue that policy analytics includes analysis-related tasks only and has nothing to do with data preparation, management, governance, and stewardship. For other experts, policy analytics encompasses all the activities in the data lifecycle and includes elements outside of the analytic sphere, such as information technologies, stakeholder involvement, and a deep understanding of the context of use and application domains. Second, in terms of analytical methods, some analysts consider data mining, machine learning, and other computer science approaches to be the only valid tools. For others, statistical analysis as well as simulation approaches should also be called analytics. In this chapter, we propose a comprehensive and integrative view in which policy analytics goes beyond data analysis and includes management and preparation of data as well as very diverse techniques such as computer simulation, social network analysis, statistics, geographic information systems, and data mining techniques.

Keywords: Policy analytics; Policy modelling; Policy informatics; Digital government; Computer simulation; Social network analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

There are no downloads for this item, see the EconPapers FAQ for hints about obtaining it.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:paitcp:978-3-319-61762-6_1

Ordering information: This item can be ordered from
http://www.springer.com/9783319617626

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-61762-6_1

Access Statistics for this chapter

More chapters in Public Administration and Information Technology from Springer
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Sonal Shukla () and Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing ().