Policy evaluation is a research area within public policy and political science that focuses on assessing the effectiveness, efficiency, and impact of government policies and programs. It involves analyzing the implementation and outcomes of policies to determine whether they have achieved their intended goals, as well as identifying any unintended consequences or areas for improvement. Policy evaluation often uses a variety of research methods, such as surveys, interviews, case studies, and statistical analysis, to gather data and evaluate policy outcomes. The results of policy evaluations are used to inform decision-making, improve policy design, and contribute to the evidence base for future policy development.