Common Mistakes When Developing a Problem Using the Public Policy Analyst

1. Starting with a policy instead of a problem

This is the most common error that users of the PPA will make.  “Gun control” and “the death penalty” are governmental policies NOT social problems.  If you incorrectly identify a policy as a problem in your first step, the PPA is useless.  What is the underlying social problem?  In the example of “gun control” the social problem could be “violence in the community,” or “a large number of young men are being killed in the country.”  Take time to consider the true social problem you want to address.

2. Phrasing the problem as a question

Do not start your Public Policy Analysis with a question such as, “Should we have the death penalty in this state?” or “Is there too much violence in our society?”  Your social problem should be a declarative statement, not a question.  For example, “Low reading scores in the school district,” and “Lack of good-paying jobs in the city,” are valid problems.

3. Identifying a problem that is not a “social” problem.

A social problem is different from a problem that an individual might have.  In order for a problem to be a social problem, it must be something that can be addressed by a governmental policy or action.  Also, a critical mass of citizens should likewise agree that a social problem exists. 

4. Not specifying the specific location/jurisdiction of the problem

Always make sure your social problem is situated in an actual location.  In our country there are many different levels of government and some social problems are a concern of one jurisdiction over another.  Most crime is dealt with at the local level while border problems are a federal/national concern.