You might want to discuss with your instructor the type of policy you will examine. Once you know what kind of policy you are interested in, you will decide what you want to know about it. Policy is often viewed chronologically. The policy-making process has several steps. Problem Definition Policy Formulation Policy Selection Implementation Evaluation Policy Adjustment Policy Definition occurs when people recognize that something must be done about a problem.
People affected by the problem voice their needs and goals.
During the Policy Formation state, interested persons and groups inside and outside of government try to persuade the government to adopt the measure they prefer for addressing the problem. These groups and individuals have varying degrees of influence. Policy Selection is usually the actual passing of legislation in which a policy is declared, and programs may be prescribed. Here social policy is further specified by the development of administrative codes and is put into action by way of social programs. Evaluation entails collecting evidence about how well the policy and resulting programs work and comparing that to their objectives.