Solving complex policy issues requires an analyst to balance constituents' needs with the political and economic realities of governance. In Gupta's foundational text, each concept - whether it's research design, forecasting, or cost-benefit analysis - is illustrated with recent cases such as the 2008 banking crisis and a GAO report on poverty, allowing students to master a skill and understand its real world application. Expanded coverage of the issues of measurement that arise in economic analyses helps to emphasize the subjective considerations within the decision-making process. New chapters include coverage of the social goals of public policy and how to reconcile divergent views of analysts and policymakers. Students benefit from tables, figures, key terms, and exercises, and instructor's resources include these graphics in electronic format and a solutions manual.