As you consider topics, remember that this policy paper should contain a comprehensive assessment of the problem, the proposed policy, and the potential consequences of implementation of that policy. When you write your paper, you should think of yourself as a staff person who must advise a policy maker facing a problem that must be resolved in the near future. As this staff person, adopt one of the perspectives of public administration as discussed in class, and frame your responses around this approach.

The Policy Research Paper should be 8 to 12 pages, double-spaced, size 12 point font. The paper should include a cover page, table of contents, introduction, body of the report, summary or conclusion, and works cited (reference page). The page count is of the content and, thus does not include the cover, table of contents, or reference page(s).

Even though this is not a scientific-type writing assignment, and is mostly creative in nature, references are still very important. At least six authoritative, outside references are required (anonymous authors or web pages are not acceptable). These should be listed on the last page titled “References.”

The paper should follow the American Psychological Association (APA) guidelines.

Appropriate citations are required.

All DeVry University policies are in effect, including the plagiarism policy.

Papers are due during Week 6 of this course.

Any questions about this paper may be discussed in the weekly Q & A Discussion topic.

The paper should include the following components:

The following are best practices in preparing this paper.

• Cover Page: Include who you prepared the paper for, who prepared, and date.
• Table of Contents: List the main ideas and section of your paper and the pages in which they are located. The illustrations should be included separately.
• Introduction: Use a header on your paper. This will indicate you are introducing your paper.
  1. To introduce the subject and highlight why the subject is important;
  2. To review the main ideas and the order in which they will be covered; and
  3. To establish a tone of the document.
• Body of the Report: Use a header titled with the name of your project. Example: “The Development of Hotel X – A World Class Resort.” Then proceed to break out the main ideas. State the main ideas, state major points in each idea, and provide evidence. Break out each main idea you will use in the body of your paper. Show some type of division, like separate sections that are labeled; separate groups of paragraphs; or headers. You would include the information you found during your research and investigation.
• Summary and Conclusion: Summarizing is similar to paraphrasing but presents the gist of the material in fewer words than the original. An effective summary identifies the main ideas and major support points from the body of your report. Minor details are left out. Summarize the benefits of the ideas and how they affect the tourism industry.
• Document Your Facts Throughout the Paper: Document your facts, including the opinions of others, throughout the paper with proper citations. For example, in establishing that a problem exists, use appropriate sources to cite facts, figures, and statistics. In explaining the approach to public administration chosen, a textbook (including the one for this course) may be an excellent source. When addressing solutions attempted thus far, news accounts and scholarly journals may be useful. In documenting the political aspects, reliance on news periodicals may be apt.
• Work Cited: Use the citation format as specified in the Syllabus.