1. Research Paper Choose a policy problem/issue Examples: crime, pollution, poverty, traffic, day care, discrimination, morality issues, declining quality of education, drug abuse, etc.

2. Explanation of the Research Topic: Definition of the Problem: society, personal, media, etc. Literature Review: previous studies Policy History: past policies Qualitative Research: interviews Conclusion: summary, policy recommendations From there Discuss the following

3. Social Problem: Local Teen Pregnancy Department of Political Science Kenneth E. Fernandez

4. Definition of the Policy Problem 1. How does society view this policy issue? (general public opinion/media) 2. How do you view this policy issue? 3. How does the academic community see this problem? 4. Is this a Federal, state or local problem (or all three)

5. Example: Definition of the Problem How society sees the problem: –Socioeconomic problem –Moral Problem –Health Problem How I see the problem –Quality of Life Issue

6. Academic Perspective

7. The Literature Review The formal literature review is a very specific piece of writing designed to: –inform your readers of your topic –establish your credibility as a researcher –argue the need for, and relevance of, your work

8. Writing your Literature Review Writing a good review requires you to: –read a few good reviews –develop a structure –write purposefully (rather than randomly) –use the literature to back up your arguments (especially in your conclusion)

9. Academic Sources Your literature review section should use only academic sources. What is an academic source? You can use anything else in any other section (Time magazine, internet source, newspaper, etc.), but in the literature review section use only academic sources.

10. Literature Review Example Causes: Why don’t teens use contraception? Causes: What Factors are associated with Teen Pregnancy? –Parents Married/Unmarried –Lived in same home since age 6 –Family Income –Race / Culture Solutions: Contraceptive use v. abstinence

11. What has been considered What has been Implemented What has been rejected Policy History

12. Examples Increased Information –In-School presentations (school board decisions) –Advertisement (state & county public health dept. programs) Promoting Family Values (Federal Govt./Private Sector) Increased access to services (Planned Parenthood/State &County Public Health Department) New Technology (RU-486; emergency contraception)

13. Qualitative Research Identify the local experts and political actors that are addressing this issue Interview at least 2 policy experts What is an expert? If in doubt email me who you will interview

14. Conclusion: What caused this problem? What should be done about it (what policies)? How would one begin to accomplish this (policy implementation)? Back up with evidence from lit review and what the policy experts you identified said

15. Example Causes: Two parents working Mixed messages – elites saying sex is bad, media – sex is good Lack of access to birth control. Alcohol and drugs

16. Recommendations High-risk vs. low risk / Street contact vs. School contact After-care referrals Access to emergency contraception Limitations?