Week 3

Lesson objectives for this week

The objective of the A-4 session this week is to learn about the functions and structure of the research report.  We will consider the four step problem-solving methodology in more detail, as well as consider alternatives to problem-solving research. The methodology taught in this course requires the drafter to formulate hypotheses or “educated guesses” about the nature and scope of problematic behaviors and their causes. The qualitative and quantitative information gathered by the drafter is used to test these hypotheses to determine which hypotheses seem most likely to provide a sound basis for formulating the detailed solutions contained in the bill.

In the B-2 session the focus is on understanding a bill’s structure. A bill’s basic building block is the section (or “article”).  A bill’s structure is determined by “grouping” and “ordering” the sections logically to increase understanding and usability. A helpful default outline is provided in Study Guide B slides 12 and 13.

This week you will draft the introduction to your research report. The introduction has several purposes: to clearly and concisely introduce the problem addressed by the research report; to describe this problem in its larger social context; to describe how the proposed bill fits within the government’s proposed legislative program for dealing with the problem; and to help the reader understand the logic that holds the report together.

Assignments

•Read: Manual, Part II, Introductory (pp. 83-84), Chapter 4 (pp.85-124, with extra focus on pages 85-92, 118-9), Chapter 6 (pp. 173-183, only); and Part III, Chapter 8 (pp. 205-230 with extra focus on pages 221-7).
•Listen to tapes A-4, B-2.
• E-mail to your editor and to the course participants:

• a draft Introduction to your Research Report (see outline, Manual, pp. 118-122); &
• a brief, preliminary outline of your bill that includes the headings of the sections that you now think you need. (NOTE: Does your bill, together with associated, existing laws, cover the elements that constitute a complete legislative scheme? See the Manual, pg. 214

•Discuss with your group the answers to general questions, Study Guide, Session A-4, Slides #15-6. (Also see the Study Guide, Session B-2.)
• E-mail to your both editor and to the course participants:

• comments, questions or suggestions you may have about materials covered in the audio-presentations, the Manual or the Study Guide; &
• answers to questions and exercises raised in the Study Guide.