Annotated bibliography: Issue networks
edit- Grant Jordan, A. "Iron Triangles, Woolly Corporatism and Elastic Nets: Images of the Policy Process." Journal of Public Policy 1, no. 1 (1981): 95-123. Accessed October 21, 2016. http://www.jstor.org/stable/3998171
This article explains irons triangles, which is addressed on our Wikipedia page. Knowing what iron triangles are made up of helps to see how different they are from issue networks. The description of issue networks and why they are an attractive concept is also touched on. There is a table that breaks down different details about iron triangles, issue networks, cabinet government, and corporatism that I think could add some clarity to the topic on our Wikipedia page.
- Heaney, Michael T. "Issue Networks, Information, and Interest Group Alliances: The Case of Wisconsin Welfare Politics, 1993-99." State Politics & Policy Quarterly 4, no. 3 (2004): 237-270. Accessed October 21, 2016. http://www.jstor.org/stable/40421519
This article focuses on a case study about a welfare policy debate in Wisconsin that my group can refer to when looking for examples of issue networks. It explains how interest groups acquire information through interaction in issue networks. Adding information about how interest groups and issue networks work together could be something our Wikipedia page needs.
- Lutz, Ellen and Kathryn Sikkink. "Nongovernmental Organizations and Transnational Issue Networks in International Politics." Proceedings of the Annual Meeting (American Society of International Law) 89, (1995): 413-415. Accessed October 21, 2016. http://www.jstor.org/stable/25658951'
This article covers how nongovernmental organizations contribute to the process by which international law and policy are made, and goes in depth about transitional issue networks (TIN). These types of issue networks are not covered on our Wikipedia page, most likely because the author of the paper developed the term. The article explains what a transitional issue network is, why and how they emerge, and how they can be effective.
- Newland, C. A. Why Policy Issue Networks Matter: The Advanced Technology Program and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership. Vol. 66 2006. Accessed October 21, 2016. http://libproxy.txstate.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edswss&AN=000238116200021&site=eds-live&scope=site
- Skok, James E. “Policy Issue Networks and the Public Policy Cycle: A Structural-Functional Framework for Public Administration.” Public Administration Review 55, no.4 (1995): 325-332. Accessed October 18, 2016. http://www.jstor.org.libproxy.txstate.edu/stable/977123
This article can be used to understand how policy issue networks were viewed at that time. It includes information about how a public administrators role in policy issue networks is to publicize information and get the government to look at alternatives to whatever the problem is. Our group can use this information to add how issue networks and public administration work together to our Wikipedia article.
Article evaluation: Issue networks
editThe first thing I observed about the Issue Network article was the warning banner at the top of the page asking for help to improve the article by adding citations to reliable sources. As a result, my initial impression is that it’s not a credible source of information. Also, there is a little amount of information in the article. There is a lead section summarizing the topic and a section contrasting issue networks and Iron Networks. Both sections are neutral enough that they don’t lean towards a certain position, which satisfies Wikipedia policy.
The lead section has information that could be elaborated on in a new section. A good example would be the sentence that reads, “Usually, issue networks push for a change in policy within the government bureaucracy.” After reading that I want to know how issue networks have gone about pushing for these changes, and what are the types of issues they have supported in the past. Also, the use of the word usually is unclear. What are they doing besides the usual push for change in a policy within bureaucracy? How often is usually? This statement leaves the reader with more questions than knowledge. The last sentence of the lead section that says, “It differs from the more consolidated "policy community”.” can be omitted. It lacks importance and it doesn’t give the reader facts about how it differs from policy community.
A source is cited at the end of the first paragraph that leads to a website with no information. I would like to ask the editor, in the talk page, if they have a more accurate source for the information they provided. If the source doesn’t exist it should be removed. The article only has one reliable citation. Also, the policy network link takes you to a Wikipedia page that hasn’t been created yet. The solution to that would be to remove the link, create a Wikipedia page, or find another credible source that explains policy networks. Under the external links there is a link to a blog post, which is not a reliable source.
The article used the line, “characterized by a large and/or wide range of affected interests, fluctuations in contacts, access, and level of agreement, unequal resource distribution combined with varying abilities to deliver member support, and unequal power distribution among the group members." to explain how an issue network is a type of policy network. This excerpt was taken directly from the 2004 Encyclopedia of Government Politics. Although the editor did cite where the passage originated, Wikipedia’s editing brochure states that, “Copying content from copyrighted sources onto Wikipedia isn’t allowed, even if you cite the source.” The quote needs to be replaced with an editor’s original words or removed completely.
Overall the article needs a great deal of editing to be considered good quality. More factual information, reliable sources, and improvement on the writing will go a long way.
