Editing Policy analysis (section)

=== Value to policymakers ===

Policy analysis affects policymakers' decisions by introducing them to new ideas to consider, through the work of policy analysts summarizing ideas and frameworks found in the relevant literature.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Shulock |first=Nancy |date=1999 |title=The paradox of policy analysis: If it is not used, why do we produce so much of it? |url= http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/(sici)1520-6688(199921)18:2<226::aid-pam2>3.0.co;2-j |journal=Journal of Policy Analysis and Management |volume=18 |issue=2 |pages=226–244 |doi=10.1002/(sici)1520-6688(199921)18:2<226::aid-pam2>3.0.co;2-j |issn=0276-8739|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

Policymakers tend to value policy analysis more depending on the cause of a policy problem. Evidence of a purposeful cause for a problem can compel policy decisions more than unguided causes.<ref>{{cite book |last=Stone |first=Deborah A. |contribution=Causal Stories and the Formation of Policy Agendas |date=2009 |doi=10.2307/j.ctv1mjqv11.6 |editor-first=Richard M. |editor-last=Valelly |title=Princeton Readings in American Politics |pages=34–50 |publisher=[[Princeton University Press]]}}</ref>