Policy Analysis Paper

Policy Analysis Paper Guideline

SOCW-3303

Due date: The end of day on 12/09/2018

Policy Analysis Model. For your policy analysis paper please use the model below,

developed by Dr. Tom Watts. You may vary the order of the sections if you wish.

1. Introduction

2. Description of the Problem that Necessitated the Policy (Use current statistics - how

many people affected

3. by the problem; demographic characteristics; is number changing; etc.?)

4. Historical Background of the Policy

5. Description of the Policy (Once again, use current statistics. Budget; is budget

changing; etc.?)

6. Policy Goals

7. Major Issues/Problems with the policy

8. Proposals/possibility for reform of the policy. Who is advocating for reform of the

policy; how are they doing so; chance of success?

9. Conclusion

10. References

A thorough and meticulous quality work is expected. The purpose of the policy analysis

project is to provide you with the opportunity to learn more about the legislative process. You

will select from any topic covered in the course text or specific areas of interest such as

(HIV/AIDS, Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Child welfare, and so forth). This project is

designed to develop your skills in policy analysis, writing, application and critical thinking skills

that are essential to the profession of social work. Select a social welfare policy bill on any topic

approved by the instructor and has been introduced in the Texas legislature, the U.S. Congress or

in a parliament of a particular country. Students should identify legislators, organizations,

groups, and committees that have worked on or are currently working on the policy issue of

interest. Students should investigate the legislative history of the issue, become familiar with the

bill and related proposals to introduce new legislation or modify existing legislation, seek the

opinions of those with various views on the issue, and determine which groups and individuals

(such as legislators, professional groups, citizen advocacy groups) are supportive of, opposed to,

or neutral on the issue and why.

Your references should include federal or state laws and budgets; congressional record;

federal or state statistics; government white papers; government pamphlets; academic journal

articles; books; newspaper articles; web site references.

Writing Details

1. Abstract Summary

This is 200 words overview of the paper and its outcome of analysis. The summary must

succinctly summarize each of the required sections of the paper. It must be clear and

easy to understand and provide a snap shot of the entire paper. Check library databases

for papers and their abstracts for examples.

2. Purpose:

Be sure and state clearly on page 1 or more of your policy analysis paper in the

Introduction: (a) what you are going to do in the paper: (b) how you plan to do it.

A brief introduction of the bill stating its importance for social welfare policy in Texas

or the nation. Thus, the introduction should effectively introduce the topic and clearly

state why the topic/bill is important for social welfare policy and what is expected in the

paper. Also, introduce the model being used for analysis of the bill. Use the policy

analysis model presented above as your outline for the paper. The policy analysis model

headings should be incorporated into the body of the paper itself.

3. Issue Focus:

Your paper should focus on the various issues and points of view on your topic. A

description of the problem/issue that necessitated or preceded the bill. Does it clearly

define the problem? Does it identify the affected population? Does it highlight the

impact of the problem? Does it show the urgency of the issue? How widespread was / is

it? How many people are affected? Who (everyone? the poor? particular age groups?) is

affected and how? What are the known or suspected causes of the problem? How will

(or does) the policy address the problem?

Example: If you are doing your paper on Social Security, and are discussing

privatization as a proposed reform, then bring in both the pro privatization and anti-

privatization perspectives. In other words, present both sides of the issue.

4. Historical Background:

The historical background of the bill. Does it provide a historical context for the bill or

policy? How much attention has this problem received historically? How has the

problem been handled previously? What is the legislative history of the bill or policy?

Has it changed over time, how? What recent events led to the creation of the proposed?

When and how did the most recently proposed policy originate in Texas? What are the

policies of other states or countries regarding the problem/issue?

5. Policy Description:

A thorough description of the policy. What resources or opportunities is the policy

expected to provide for people affected (e.g., economic opportunity, cash, in-kind

services, redistribution of goods and services, empowerment, status, preventive services,

education, other)? Who will be covered by the policy and how (e.g., selective

entitlement, universal entitlement, means testing, other)? How will the policy be

implemented? What is the policy’s intended short- and long-term goals and intended

outcomes? Under what administrative auspices will the policy be further developed and

implemented? What funding is needed? What provisions are made for overseeing,

evaluating, and coordinating policy implementation? What criteria will be used to

determine the policy’s outcomes and effectiveness? How long is the policy expected to

exist (i.e., is there a specific requirement for review and continuation)? On what

knowledge base or scientific grounding, if any, does the policy rest? Is there empirical

evidence that the policy may achieve its intended result?

6. Policy Analysis:

This is the heart of the paper. Address issues such as the value premises or ideological

assumptions that underlie the policy. What interest groups are involved and what

assumptions do they make? Are the goals just, democratic, and attainable? Do they

contribute to a better quality of life by promoting social and economic justice, self-

determination, self-realization, civil liberties or rights, empowerment, or other benefits,

or do they adversely affect the quality of life of the target or other groups? What are the

intended and unintended consequences of the policy? Provide a global comparison by

choosing another country to compare the policy with (you also have the option of

choosing another state). The analysis should drive the way you use the model. The

analysis should not be forced to fit the model.

7. Conclusions:

In the last one or two paragraphs of the policy analysis paper, please integrate, sum up,

relate to the larger picture, asking yourself some larger questions such as “What does it

all mean?” In prior sections, you should be as objective as possible, but in the conclusion

you are free to express your opinion.

Does the conclusion effectively wrap up the paper? Based on your objective analysis,

what conclusions have you reached about the proposed policy? Are the goals politically

feasible (i.e., is there sufficient support to pass the proposed legislation or to sustain its

implementation)? Is public sentiment favorable toward the goals? Are the goals of the

proposed policy economically feasible (i.e., is sufficient funding available to implement

the policy and is it likely that funding will be continued as needed in the future)? Are the

goals administratively feasible (i.e., are there responsible administrative agencies

capable of effectively implementing the policy to achieve its stated goals)? Are there

alternative policies that might better achieve the goals? Is the policy important enough to

justify the expenditure of scarce resources?

What are your recommendations regarding the proposed policy? Do you recommend it

as it is currently stated? Would you suggest modifications? How would you improve it?

Your recommendation should demonstrate clear critical skills and analyses.

8. Readings:

Use the required readings as a base, as much as possible. This may not always be

possible, as you may have chosen a topic that is not covered in the readings. But if it is

covered, then refer to the readings in your paper.

9. References:

A separate page(s) should include a listing of references or footnotes. It is not necessary

to include a listing of notes on one page and bibliography on another (in many style

manuals they are one and the same). The number of references needed is up to the

individual student. Use APA style for formatting and references on the paper. Check

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/ for more on what’s expected. Also,

the easiest way to make the reference is to use Google scholar.

10. Style Manual:

Use any style manual, but be sure to use it consistently. The official style manual of the

School of Social Work is the style manual of the American Psychological Association

(APA) so it is probably a good idea to use this one as it will be required in some of your

classes so you may as well become familiar with it. I posted the APA template on

Blackboard. Thus, please apply the template. Also, please cite an adequate citation

in your paper. If you do not cite the adequate citations, I will deduct your score.

11. Length:

The policy analysis paper should be between 10 and 12 pages with 12 points, Times

New Roman & double space.

Please see the grade guideline below.

A grading rubric is presented below for your guidance. Topic Unsatisfactory

0-3 points

Marginal

4~6 points

Proficient

7~ 9 points

Exemplary

10 points

An introduction to the

Bill and a thesis

statement (what to

expect in the paper)

10 assigned points

Not included or

included insufficiently

reported

Provides a brief but

inadequate

description of

what’s to expect in

the paper

Provides good enough

introduction that is

adequate and gives a

somewhat general

picture of what’s to

expect in the paper

Provides a clear and

catching facts that points to

the problem that

necessitated the policy, a

brief introduction of the Bill

or policy to be analyzed, the

model used, and clearly

stated thesis statement

Model Identification

for policy analysis

10 assigned points

Model not identified or

followed; not all steps

or sections included;

errors in logic

Weak rationale for

the model and is

only superficially

and selectively

followed; logic is

weak or unclear

Model for analysis is

appropriately

explained and

followed. Each step

or section is

developed; logic is

clear. Analysis is

good but not fully

comprehensive

Thorough use of model for

policy analysis and

descriptions of the

constructs used; each step or

section is thoughtful and

exceeds expectations

The social

issues/problems and

the historical

background of the

policy

10 assigned points

Very brief, no

references, shows little

understanding of the

complexity of the

problem. Descriptive

and uses mostly

textbook as a source.

The facts are

presented

accurately, but few

references are used.

A linear rather than

complex

appreciation of the

issues is evident.

More descriptive

than analytical.

Good research, good

facts, good analysis.

References are

accurate and from a

range of sources.

Analysis relies mostly

on class materials and

written sources.

Comprehensive and

extensively researched and

referenced from a wide

range of sources. Analysis

includes ideas not available

from assigned sources. A

well-articulated and very

well informed perspective is

evident.

Statement of the policy

and policy goals

10 assigned points

Relies heavily on the

textbook or agency

handouts/websites and

produces a simple

version of the policy.

Presentation of the

policy is

descriptive with a

limited range of

references.

Describes and

discusses the policy

with a satisfactory

range of references

from different

sources.

Discusses the policy

referenced with a wide range

of accompanying

government documents, peer

reviewed articles and other

evidence.

Discussion of Policy

outcomes and

conclusions with

recommendations

10 assigned points

Relies heavily on

textbook. Largely

descriptive work with

no reference to

unintended outcomes.

Adequate

discussion

informed by some

broader reference

to the literature

Good discussion and

analysis referenced

with evidence from

research, government

or other data sets, and

other literature.

Adequately analysis

of unintended

outcomes (actual

and intent impact).

Discussion demonstrates

analysis and synthesis of

materials from a wide range

of sources, and applications

and implications for practice

of both intended and

unintended outcomes (actual

and intended impact).

[analysis is thorough; logic

and critical thinking are

evident]

Total: 50 points

If you have any questions about this assignment, please email me

([email protected]).