REQUIREMENTS FOR Policy Pitch (J439 Fall 2023)
The goal of this project is to ex
REQUIREMENTS FOR Policy Pitch (J439 Fall 2023)
The goal of this project is to examine a real- world problem, what is currently being done to address the problem, and generate recommendations for solutions that can be implemented to address the problem.
Parameters of the Paper
• Your paper must have at least 15 references including at least 10 empirical studies related specifically to the problem or the strategies you are considering to address the problem.
• You must also include a separate references section. References in the text will use American Sociological Association format: (Author(s) year) e.g. (Simpson and Fagan 1994). If you are quoting someone else’s words directly, enclose the quoted material in quotation marks and include the authors, year, and page (e.g. Simpson and Fagan 1994: 312). If you have the same authors in more than one year then include a letter so that I will know which one you are referring to. (e.g. Simpson and Fagan 2000a). There will be a sample sheet available when formatting the references comes up.
• There will be two pmts to this pitch: the paper and the presentation oPaper:
• should be approximately 3,000 words in length (not including references). Significantly longer or shorter papers are usually problematic.
• You must include a word count on your title page.
• Papers must be typed and double-spaced, with 12- point Times New Roman font, with one-inch margins.
• References can be single-spaced with a space in between.
• Also, label each section with a bold- faced centered heading: Introduction, Problem Identification, Current Strategies, Literature Review, Recommendations, Conclusion
The Introduction section is a standard introduction. You need to tell the reader what you are doing. In the introduction you need to describe why you are writing the paper in the first place and how you plan to accomplish that purpose. The introduction sets the tone for the whole paper, so it is important that it be done well.
In the Problem Identification section you will discuss the nature of the problem locally with some level of specificity. What information is available and what does it say specifically about the problem?
Additionally, if it is helpful to compare the local situation to national trends, that can be done here. You may also note areas where more information is needed. Identifying the nature of the problem clearly will make it much easier to determine what strategies might be effective in addressing that problem.
In the Current Strategies section you will discuss available information on local strategies to address the problem you identified in the previous section. You should clearly state where you looked for this information and what you found. It may also be helpful to identify what strategies other cities have undertaken to address the problem you identify.
The Literature Review section is where you discuss the results of your examination of the available scholarly literature (i.e. empirical studies) on the strategies that are currently used or could be implemented to address the issue you identified previously. This will necessitate a deep and meaningful review of a variety of electronic databases for a “deep dive” into the evidence base for your proposed recommendations.
The Recommendations section is where you identify whether we should continue, expand or discontinue current strategies or add/ replace them with alternative strategies, as well as areas where more research is needed. You need to be specific. So, for example, if the strategy works when we have officers on foot in high violent crime areas but not when they just walk around low crime neighborhoods, you should recommend targeted foot patrols. Be sure to identify the source of your recommendations (i.e. the studies that support them)
The Conclusion ties together the paper. It is the section that reminds readers where you have taken them. Tell them what you told them in the previous sections. This section is also important because it is the last thing readers will remember. It is important not to present any new information here. You are only summarizing what you have previously said.
My topic is mass incarceration in the state of Indiana and how it relates to drugs. It can be directed at other places too but mainly indina