Question

Decide if the following situations describe positive analysis or normative analysis:

a. A $.50 per pack tax on cigarettes will lead to a 12% reduction in smoking by teenagers.

b. The federal government should spend more on AIDS research.

c. Rising paper prices will increase textbook prices.

d. The price of coffee at Starbucks is too high.  

e. The amount of air pollution by large corporation should be limited to 5%.  

Answer 1

Positive analysis is based on facts which can be approved or disapproved, whereas normative analysis is based on value judgements.

a. "A $.50 per pack tax on cigarettes will lead to a 12% reduction in smoking by teenagers", the statement is positive analysis as it can be approved with facts like sales of tobacco products.

b. "The federal government should spend more on AIDS research", the statement is value judgement, thus normative analysis.

c. "Rising paper prices will increase textbook prices", the statement is positive analysis, as it can be verified with comparing textbook prices.

d. "The price of coffee at Starbucks is too high", is too positive analysis, as prices can be compared.

e. "The amount of air pollution by large corporation should be limited to 5%", the statement is normative analysis as it is value judgement.