Sample Outline for Policy Analysis Paper

Sample Outline for Policy Analysis Paper

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Policy Analysis Paper

Sample Outline for Policy Analysis Paper

Pick a particular social problem and identify and analyze the policies that are in place to address the problem, using the framework below.

I. Definitions of the Problem

1. Definitions in the Literature – explain the social problem under discussion. What is thesocial problem being described? Be sure to clarify the perspectives and values used in arriving at a definition of the problem. Review the definitions given in the literature of this problem. Be as comprehensive as possible. It may be useful to develop a typology of definitions, based on the review of the definitions given in the literature.
2. Definition – think about other ways in which this problem might be defined. Identifywhat seems to the student to be the most reasonable, and accurate, definition of the problem, based on the review of definitions in the literature, and the student’s own perspectives and value preferences.

II. Scope of the Problem

1. Extent of the Problem
   • Prevalence – what is the extent of the problem, or how prevalent is it? How manypeople (or what percentage of the population or a subgroup of the population) are affected by this problem? Is the prevalence related to it being perceived as a social problem?   Be sure to define prevalence.
   • Demographic Factors – does the social problem particularly affect an age group,a racial or ethnic group, men or women?   What populations are affected by the problem, directly or indirectly? How is the problem distributed across different demographic groups?
2. Correlates of the Problem – what correlates are usually associated with the problem? Thatis, what factors tend to be associated with this problem? What effects does the problem have on the population(s) that is subject to it?
3. Differential Benefits/Costs – does the existence of the problem benefit certain groups orclasses and/or harm others? If so, whom does it benefit and whom does it harm? Does its existence serve the interests of certain segments of society, and what role do these groups have in perpetuating it? Policy Analysis Paper

III. Theories of Causation

1. Theories – what are some of the main theories (sociological, economic, political, biological, etc.) are advanced to explain the causation of the problem? Be sure to identify the social science discipline and the value perspective of each theorist (which influences their views on the causes of the problem)? Did the work of theorists stimulate public recognition of the problem, or are the theories being applied retrospectively?
2. Student Opinion – the student should, based on data and problem definition, give theirown view of the most appropriate theory of the causes of the problem.
3. Social Policies: Laws, Programs and Services
4. Current Policies – what policies are currently directed towards the problems? Identify thelaws, programs and services (hint: these might be useful sub-headings) that have been developed to address this problem at each level of government (federal, state, local).

The following guidelines should be helpful in describing policies and programs:

• Major Components – what are the major components of the policy or program: cash benefits, in-kind benefits, services, sanctions, social controls, or some combination?
• Nature – what is the nature of the policy or program? Is it seen as a long-termeffort or an emergency provision?
• Targets – who are the targets of the policy? Is this a universal or selectiveprogram? If selective, what are the criteria for receiving services? How is eligibility determined? Policy Analysis Paper

1. Objectives of Current Policy – what are the objectives of these policies?
2. Role Of Government – what are the responsibilities of government, and what are thetheoretical assumptions about the role of government, that are exemplified by these policies? D. Theoretical Basis – on what causal theories of the problem are current policies based?

V. Effectiveness of Current Policies

1. Policy Implementation – have the policies been implemented as designed, or have someadjustments been made? What is the source of these modifications [legislative policy, judicial policy, executive (administrative) policy or “street-level” policy]? What are the institutions defined as implementors of existing policy? Has the definition of the social problem changed with the implementation of the program? If so, how? What social values are represented in the policy as actually implemented?
2. Evaluations – discuss any relevant evaluation research that has been done on the effectiveness (or lack of effectiveness) of current policies. If policies are recent, have any speculative evaluations been done (i.e. predictive models of what the effects might be)?

1) Costs and Benefits – examine the economic costs and benefits of the program or policy; provide data to document assertions.

VI. Recommendations for Alternative Policies

1. New Policies – are there any new policies, programs, or services currently being proposedthat respond to the social problem in question?
2. Proposed Revisions – if so, what are the proposed revisions?
3. Effectiveness of Current Policy – based on the review of the literature, and the student’svalues about the issue, are the current policies and programs responding to the problem defined? Are the effective (why or why not)? Does the student agree with the overall thrust of the policy in question, or dispute its aims, values and focus?
4. Effectiveness of Proposed Revisions – are there alternative policy models that could beused more effectively. What is the student’s view on the proposed revisions? Policy Analysis Paper
5. Policy Proposal – what alternative(s) would the student propose to best address the socialproblem under discussion?
   • Law – what changes in law (or administrative policy) are needed in order to moreadequately reach the target population? What changes are needed to serve the target population better?
   • Design – is the general design of the policy adequate, or does it need fundamentalchanges?
   • Funding – is more funding needed to fully implement program? How much more,and where should it come from?
   • Equitability – what changes are needed to make the program or policy moreequitable?
   • Mechanism – is the current mechanism for delivering the program a good one, orshould the auspices of delivery be changed?
   • Models – are the any models (either in this country or another) of how to address,in a more adequate way, the social problem in question?
   • Cost – how much would it cost to implement the student’s proposed policy?
   • Strategy – what strategy or strategies (e.g. community organizing, political process,legislation, lawsuits, administrative change, etc.) would the student use to achieve the enactment of the proposed policy or program? ______________________________________________________________________________

Format & Style Requirements:

Full Justification (even text both sides)

One Inch Margins

12 point font

Double Spaced

Page Numbers

Topical Headings (Introduction….Conclusion)

Avoid Personal Pronouns/First Person Singular Form (I, my, etc.)

Use APA Citation Format

Maximum Length: 15 pages

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Policy Analysis Paper

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