Choose a domestic policy issue that interests you. You will turn in an annotated bibliography and the final policy paper.GOALS: The goals of these assignments are 1) to enable you to analyze public policy which affects sexual minorities in the U.S.; 2) to begin developing expertise in the topic you have selected;and 3) to develop research and writing skills.
REQUIREMENTS:
FOLLOW THIS OUTLINE:Your paper must analyze a policy issue that effects sexual minorities. Rants and raves will not substitute for analysis.
I. Summary
II. Problem Identification
III. Proposed Policy Solutions
IV. Evaluation
I. Summary (one to three paragraphs) A concise summary of the problem identification and proposed solutions which follow in detail in the rest of your paper. You might want to write this section last.
II. Problem Identification (approximately 3-4 pages)
Identify and define the problem that is your subject.
Set the stage for understanding the issue. What is its history? (When did this issue become a public problem? What occurred to put this problem on the public agenda? Were there particular events or changes that pointed to a problem?)
What is the nature of the problem? Include a statement of the scope of the problem. Are there identifiable interest groups that are working to bring this problem to the public forum?
What are the costs (economic and otherwise) associated with this issue? Is something already being done or planned to address this issue? What are the consequences of the problem that have occurred, or could potentially occur?
Research Guide for Public Policy Assignments
III. Proposed Policy Solutions (approximately 3-4 pages)
What should be done? Suggest realistic, affordable remedies to the problem. Explain your recommendation’s advantages and possible disadvantages. How have other states or governmental units dealt with this issue? What would need to be in place to carry out your recommendation, in terms of policy, law, or politics? How much might this recommendation cost?
What policy solutions have already been proposed and passed concerning this issue? What is the history surrounding these policies? Are these policies working? Did particular individuals or interest groups work for passage of the policy?
Who is in charge of putting policy into action? For example, if you are examining the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” armed services policy, you should discuss the DOD’s role in implementing it as well as research and advocacy groups such as Rand think tank and the National Service League which have studied implementation issues. Has implementation of existing policy been successful? Has implementation been difficult? What factors have impeded or facilitated implementation? What kind of implementation difficulties will your proposed solution encounter?
IV. Evaluation (approximately 2-3 pages)
Assuming your proposed solution can be implemented, how would you evaluate its success or failure? What standards or goals should be used to measure success? Are there any evaluation studies that have been done on this policy or program? You might use the General Accounting Office (GOA) which conducts policy evaluation studies. Or use and cite private sector research firms (like Rand or the Heritage Foundation) or professional groups (like the American Psychological Association or the Child welfare League) that have evaluated policy. Are there ideological biases that readers should be aware of when reading these reports?
