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This book presents essential elements for understanding, interpreting, and conducting cost benefit analysis (CBA) in the context of local government. The cost benefit technique is so often referenced in government policy that a correct understanding is necessary for officials entrusted with public decisions. It is especially useful for those charged with preparing numerical analyses to assess the worthiness of a specific policy proposal. In this manual, costs and benefits are identified and analyzed in terms of economic efficiency and resource allocation.

CBA is an attempt to fully account for all costs associated with a new proposal along with a detailed calculation of specific private and public benefits. Properly employed, CBA is simply a method for assessing a proposal prior to a collective decision by calculating net benefits relative to an alternative project or the default option of doing nothing

The technique of regression analysis is used so often in business and economics today that an understanding of its use is necessary for almost everyone engaged in the field. This book will teach you the essential elements of building and understanding regression models in a business/economic context in an intuitive manner. The authors take a non-theoretical treatment that is accessible even if you have a limited statistical background. It is specifically designed to teach the correct use of regression, while advising you of its limitations and teaching about common pitfalls. This book describes exactly how regression models are developed and evaluated -where real data is used, instead of contrived textbook-like problems. Completing this book will allow you to understand and build basic business/economic models using regression analysis. You will be able to interpret the output of those models and you will be able to evaluate the models for accuracy and shortcomings. Even if you never build a model yourself, at some point in your career it is likely that you will find it necessary to interpret one; this book will make that possible. Included are instructions for using Microsoft Excel to build business/economic models using regression analysis with an appendix using screen shots and step-by-step instructions.