Questions and Topics We Can Help You To Answer:
Paper Instructions:

Issue Brief Assignment

The final assignment consists of writing an issue brief on an information policy topic of your choice. Students are to model their issue briefs on those of the Congressional Research Service (CRS), such as the CRS reading on the E-rate used in this class. Additional CRS reports are available online in a range of places, though not directly by CRS itself. A good place to start is http://digital.library.unt.edu/explore/collections/CRSR/ (Links to an external site.), a project by the University of North Texas library to digitize and make available CRS reports. This is a very useful resource. Or you may use another search engine to find examples of these reports: https://opencrs.com/

Sample topics for the assignment include:

• Homeland security;

• NSA clandestine wiretapping;

• Digital wiretapping;

• Federal support of public television;

• The FCC mandate for digital television;

• Copyright protection of software and/or databases;

• Digital Copyright/fair use in the digital environment;

• Redefining universal service in the networked environment;

• Information access in the networked environment;

• Filtering of public access Internet workstations in schools and libraries;

• Fair use of on-line electronic journals;

• Hate speech and Internet hate sites;

• Confidentiality of personally identifiable medical records;

• Monitoring your Web surfing: is your clickstream your business?

• Regulating media/telecommunications mergers in the public interest;

• Network Neutrality;

• Digital divide;

• Accessibility;

• Access to government information;

• Privacy;

• E-government and libraries;

• E-government; and

• Topic of your own choosing.

If you do choose your own topic, please discuss this with the instructor PRIOR to working on the Brief.  The paper should follow the formatting and styling of a CRS issue brief. Remember, the purpose  of an issue brief is to inform policy makers on a particular topic. This means that you will need to present technical, legislative, and policy issues in a concise and informative format. Policy makers have little time to digest large amounts of information, and yet need to be aware of the key issues and debates surrounding a particular topic. The briefs should be no longer than 10-12 pages (single spaced), excluding any charts, tables, graphs, or appendices you might include. Include a complete bibliography of source materials used, and follow a citation style with which you are familiar (e.g., APA or Chicago style).

Key Characteristics of the Policy Process


The word policy is used in a number of different ways, ranging from a large-scale meaning (“foreign policy”) to a very particular meaning (“the police chief’s policy of ticketing people driving yellow cars”).



In studying information policy, policy can be used collectively (“information policy in the United States”) to refer to particular policies (“the policy of filtering Internet access in public libraries”). As an area of study, information is rife with specific policy issues; often these policies have an acronym or shorthand descriptor—DOPA, CIPA, USA PATRIOT, DMCA, Section 508, IP, E-gov, etc.



In terms of policy research and analysis, a policy can be generated by executive or legislative arms of a local, state or provincial, or federal government; the judiciary; supranational organizations; and sometimes even professional or governing bodies. A policy can be articulated through the creation, enactment, implementation, or enforcement of legislation, executive orders, judicial holdings, administrative rules or guidelines, proposals, authorizations, programs, outputs, outcomes, or processes.

Key Characteristics of Policy Research and Analysis

It is about real economic, social and political problems that exist in society.
It is oriented toward identifying and solving economic, social and political problems that arise from the creation, implementation, and enforcement of public policy. It can also serve to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of the policy process.
It is multi-disciplinary. Research methods, approaches, and perspectives can be drawn from numerous academic disciplines—primarily those of social science, behavioral science, and law— in analyzing policy. The methods can include quantitative and qualitative approaches. The tools used will depend heavily on the policy at hand and the design of the researcher.
It can employ literature reviews, scientific research methods, and interpretation and analysis based on the findings of the research.
It is influenced by contextual factors, often beyond the control of the researcher. Policy research does not occur in laboratory; as a result, the researcher cannot change many factors that influence a policy and its implementation. Research must be designed with such realities in mind.
It accounts for the populations, organizations, and government agencies affected by the policy and the significance of the impacts.The findings and recommendations should be actionable. Findings from policy research can be innovative and creative, but they must also be practicable and practical.
Aspects of analysis used in the study of a Policy
Clarity – Does it have a clear meaning? Can a reasonable person understand the intent? Are the key terms carefully defined? Are there examples or applications in the policy?Consistency – Is the policy internally consistent?
Ambiguity – Can the policy be interpreted in multiple plausible ways? Are there established parameters for the policy? Does the policy cover one topic or multiple topics?Contradiction – Does this policy run counter to another policy? Are there inherent contradictions within the policy? Does the policy comply with related judicial holdings? Is it constitutional?
Duplication – Does the policy duplicate another policy?Implementation – Are methods of implementation defined? Are responsibilities in implementation defined? Are timelines for implementation defined?
Enforcement – Are methods of enforcement defined? Are responsibilities for enforcement defined? Are timelines for enforcement defined?Gaps – Is additional guidance not in the document needed to implement it? Is there sufficient detail to implement and enforce the policy?
Combination – What happens when the policy is viewed in combination with other policies?Evaluation – Are there mechanisms for citizen or agency input? Are there modification processes? Are there sunset clauses? Are there time frames or benchmarks for policy evaluation or reevaluation?
Impacts – What populations, organizations, or government agencies are affected? Are there disproportionate impacts on certain populations? Is the policy biased in favor of or against certain groups? What short-term and long-term social impacts can be reasonably foreseen from the policy? What is the best-case impact of the policy? What is the worst-case impact?