Policy analysis as a major form of applied social science is a comparatively recent phenomenon in public systems. This paper examines the nature of methodologies in policy analysis and their relationship to social science theory and implementation of public programmes. It argues that methodological choice in policy analysis implies a prior theory and ideology and is linked to the policy analysis outcome. A typology of policy analysis methodologies is developed and through critique and reconstruction the methodology of critical policy analysis is outlined. Examples of policy analysis are analysed in the context of India and U.S. The possibilities and limitations of critical policy analysis that transcends and synthesises conventional policy analytic methodologies are explored.