Public Policy Government Review

In response to public concern about downtown parking availability, a city’s mayor appoints a panel of traffic engineers, transportation officials and citizens to study the issue.  Six months later, the panel publishes a 30-page report documenting its findings.

Which factor will contribute to the credibility of the report as a source on the topic?

Responses

• The number of tables and charts in the report

• The qualifications of the contributor to the report

• The length of the report

• The cost of the report to the city

Citizens must choose between a plan to build a new city auditorium or a plan to restore the old one. Supporters of the new auditorium claim that building a new auditorium would be more economical than restoring the old one. 

In evaluating the credibility of this claim, citizens should pay particular attention to?

• the number of performances held in the auditorium each year.

• the amount of money the supporters spend on promoting their position.

• the popularity of the supporters as community leaders.

• the projected cost data provided by the architects and accountants.

A coalition of environmental groups released a study on how a proposed new housing development would impact local wildlife.

Which factor should be considered in evaluating the credibility of the study?

• cost of publishing the study

• use of graphs to display research data

• possible biases of the sponsoring organization

• public opinion about the housing development

A local abandoned factory has been demolished and the land has been prepared for redevelopment. People disagree about what should replace the old factory on the vacant lot. Some propose a plan to construct a building combining apartments with ground-floor retail space, and others want to build a large public park. The final resolution featured a smaller building with a small park adjacent to it.

Which kind of solution does this outcome represent?

• Compromise

• Judge’s orders

• Consensus building

• Arbitration