Topic: Effects of violence against children in all forms. Policy:? Ontarios Crown Prosecution Manual: D.27 – Offences against children? Offences against children include cri

LHUM 1215: Social Policy in Canada Assignment Description and Evaluation Criteria

2023

Winick LHUM 1215 Research Paper 2023 1

Policy Analysis & Research Paper

Due: Week 7 Value: 25%

For this paper you will choose a topic of study that is relevant to current Canadian

Social Policy. You will write a paper that reflects your analysis of an issue contained in a particular piece of provincial or federal legislation/policy. This analysis will briefly include the historical context. The legislation should be

related to a particular Canadian social policy area that you have discussed with me prior to beginning this project. This assignment may be done individually, in a dyad,

or in a small group.

This topic can be directly related to your research in other courses, or it can be a new topic area. Whatever you choose it is expected that you will discuss your

ideas with me prior to beginning this assignment so that we can ensure you have chosen something that is relevant to Canadian Social Policy and will provide you an

appropriate application throughout the semester.

LHUM 1215: Social Policy in Canada Assignment Description and Evaluation Criteria

2023

Winick LHUM 1215 Research Paper 2023 2

The 8 – 10-page Policy Analysis & Research Paper will reflect an analysis of an

issue contained in a particular piece of provincial or federal legislation/policy with recognition of the impact of historical context on your topic. The legislation should

be related to a particular Canadian social policy area and discussed with me prior to beginning this project. This assignment may be done individually, as a dyad, or a (small) group.

Please use the following guidelines as you construct your paper.

Title: Full title indicating the topic/issues the paper is dealing with.

I. Introduction

• The social policy or program that will be studied in this paper.


• The social issue(s) that the policy/program is intended to address. • Significance of this issue to social policy and social welfare (Why is this an

important issue that needs to be studied? What issues frame the

contemporary discussion of this issue?).


• A description of how you organized your paper.


II. The Causes, Scope, and Implications of the Problem


• What are the causes of (or socioeconomic, psychological, political and

cultural factors influencing) the problem/issue?


• How serious is the problem?


• What are the characteristics of the population most affected by the problem? • Include a description of the historical background of this

problem/program/policy. III. Description and Analysis of Policies/ Programs • What are the current federal/provincial policies and programs that deal with

this issue?

• What is their (political, social, and/or economic) rationale?


• Are they meeting the needs of the population group(s) most affected by the

problem? Do they work effectively?


LHUM 1215: Social Policy in Canada Assignment Description and Evaluation Criteria

2023

Winick LHUM 1215 Research Paper 2023 3

• Have they been implemented as they were planned? What are anticipated

results vs. the unanticipated results? • Include a discussion of strengths and weaknesses.

IV. Conclusion and Policy Recommendations • Based on your analysis and critique state the needed improvement in current

policies and programs: What goals should be set to improve things? What strategies can achieve these goals?

• Who should take responsibility for improving things?


• What cost might be involved in your proposed strategy?

• Are the costs justified by the benefits to be realized?


• Are your recommendations possible to implement?

• What might go wrong with your solutions?


• Include a closing summary.


V. References (proper use of APA style):


• APA style (Article and books listed should be those that are actually cited in

the paper).


• Popular magazines, tabloids, and books that are not of academic nature must

not be used as reference source unless of significant influence and approved

by faculty prior to use.


• Newspaper articles may be cited when the subject is brand new and academic research bases reference materials are nonexistent OR to frame

the issue in the current social/cultural context.


• Sources from the Internet may be cited (with proper citation, of course)

when they are academic and/or research based.


• You are strongly encouraged to use the Canadian government publications available online.

• Your name is on the file submitted.

Your FINAL paper will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

❖ Completeness of overall analysis (e.g., did you cover all of the relevant

questions?) 


❖ Appropriate balance and tone of presentation (i.e., are you presenting both

sides fairly?) 


❖ Level of research and use of appropriate sources (sufficiently broad scope of

research, not based solely on online sources). 


❖ Writing skill (including grammar, syntax, and overall flow of argument). 


❖ Clear closing summary. 


❖ Formatting & APA. The core paper should be between 8 – 10 pages in length

and follow APA structure for formatting and APA style for citations in text and

in the reference page.