SOSS1000 Policy and Society Term 2023
Assessment 3: Major Essay Questions
Answer one of these questions:
1. Joshua Newman (2017: 1108) observes that for many scholars of evidence-based
policy, ‘Research evidence is just one influence on a complicated decision-making
process, and not necessarily the most important one, either’.
Use one of the policy issues presented in weeks 8-10 (a. drug harm minimisation, b.
gendered violence, or c. global health response to COVID) as the case study for your
essay, and answer the following questions: To what extent can the policy process
be described as evidence-based, in your chosen policy area? In what circumstances
has research been utilised by decision-makers, and why?
2. Vromen, Gauja and Gelber (2009: 13) suggest that ‘[s]ometimes dominant ideas in
a society can suppress dissent and produce an appearance of consensus’.
Use one of the policy issues presented in weeks 8-10 (a. drug harm minimisation, b.
gendered violence, or c. global health response to COVID) as the case study for your
essay, and answer the following questions: How is policy-making in your chosen
area ideologically-driven, and which ideologies are reflected? Consider how
ideology is expressed by different actors in the policy process (such as advocacy
groups, researchers, government officials, etc.).
Tip: to answer your question you will need to briefly outline your chosen policy issue, for
example, NSW policy in relation to pill testing. Then you will need to discuss (meaning: draw
connections, analyse, and critically evaluate) that issue in relation to the theory that is
referred to in the question (ideology and power, or evidence-based policy).
The word limit for this major essay is 2,000 words (+/- 10%).
Style and formatting:
This is an essay, and as such, should include key elements of an essay: Introduction, body of
essay broken down into paragraphs, conclusion, and reference list.
An essay makes an argument, using evidence (references). UNSW has informative webpages
on essay writing, that we encourage you to read.
Please use standard margins and font (for e.g., Arial, Calibri, Times New Romans, size 11 or
12). Single or 1.5 spacing.
Your reference list should be alphabetised (rather than by order of citation in-text). Please
avoid writing your reference list in a numbered or bullet-point list.