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Understanding and Using Efficiency and Equity Criteria in the Study of Higher Education Policy

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Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research

Part of the book series: Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research ((HATR,volume 17))

Abstract

Policy makers often have to make decisions about how resources are to be used in furthering societal objectives. Because resources are scarce, one of the objectives that decision-makers strive for is to allocate these resources among alternative uses in an efficient manner. Another objective that public policymakers often pursue is to distribute scarce resources among individuals and groups in an equitable manner. In their analysis and deliberation, policy makers often view “efficiency” in allocation and “equity” in distribution as criteria that guide them in their decision-making.2

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The University of Iowa, USA

    Stephen L. DesJardins

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  1. Stephen L. DesJardins
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Memphis, USA

    John C. Smart

  2. University of Southern California, USA

    William G. Tierney (Senior Associate Editor) (Senior Associate Editor)

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DesJardins, S.L. (2002). Understanding and Using Efficiency and Equity Criteria in the Study of Higher Education Policy. In: Smart, J.C., Tierney, W.G. (eds) Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research. Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research, vol 17. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-0245-5_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-0245-5_4

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-87586-137-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-010-0245-5

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