Final Paper: Research needs to be conducted in peer-reviewed journals or other journals that are considered to have reliable information (do not use sources from the secular press, i.e. Time, Newsweek, Parent’s Today).

Final Paper

Focus of the Final Paper
There is a wide range of possible topics for the paper including, but not limited to, the war on terror, renewable energy resources, health care reform, charter schools, mandatory sentencing, the legalization of marijuana, or virtually any policy area relating to the multiple policy fields that have been studied over the course of the Public Administration program. If you need help choosing a topic, please consult your instructor.
You may organize your paper as you see fit, however, it should, at a minimum, cover the following points:  the background of the policy concern (the parties, points at issue, and ethical considerations), the different actors involved in formulating policy to address this issue, the current status of the issue and how it is currently being handled, and analysis of how you think the policy process will evolve in addressing the public policy issue in the future. Provide your recommendations and supporting documentation for how this policy area might be addressed more effectively.
Research needs to be conducted in peer-reviewed journals or other journals that are considered to have reliable information (do not use sources from the secular press, i.e. Time, Newsweek, Parent’s Today).  In addition to the textbook, use at least three articles from professional scholarly journals and not popular Internet sites (if you do find something on the World Wide Web, it must be authored and/or be a reliable source).  In these journals, the research and information is either reviewed by an editorial team (such as for the Harvard Business Review) or a group of peers (such as in many journals you find through the Ashford University online library).
Writing the Final Paper
The Final Paper:

1. Must be eight to ten double-spaced pages in length, and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
2. Must include a title page with the following:
   1. Title of paper
   2. Student’s name
   3. Course name and number
   4. Instructor’s name
   5. Date submitted
3. Must begin with an introductory paragraph that has a succinct thesis statement.
4. Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.
5. Must end with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis.
6. Must use at least three scholarly sources, besides the textbook.
7. Must document all sources in APA style, as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
8. Must include a separate reference page, formatted according to APA style