Order Description
Please follow the instructions
Major Assignment – Information and instructions
Length:
3,000 words (+/- 10%)

Topic: An analysis of a health-related policy.

You are free to write on a health-related policy area of your choosing but I would recommend ANALAYSIS OF MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES IN AUSTRALIAN HEALTH POLICY

Please give your assignment a specific title that communicates to the reader what you are analysing (e.g. “An analysis of the problem of implementing de-institutionalization policy in mental health”)

Please obtain your own copies of documentary material relating to a significant piece of public policy in the field of health and write an analysis of the policy. You are expected to apply a problem-oriented approach and to make use of at least one of the models, frameworks or theories that you have studied. You will also be expected to identify values inherent in the policy and also to comment upon the discourse (language) used in the policy.

It is important that you identify the particular concerns of your analysis at the outset of your assignment. For example, some analysts might only be concerned with implementation rather than policy formation while others might want to concentrate on evaluation of policy performance.

The questions set out below are suggested to help you to think about your analysis, but not every question will necessarily be relevant to your assignment.

• What is the policy problem and how has it been defined?
• Are there conflicting discourses about the problem?
• How did the problem come to be on the policy making agenda?
• Have any potential issues or policy options been excluded from the policy making agenda?
• Was there evidence of ‘non-decision making’?
• What stage of development has the policy making process reached (initial, consultative, final)?
• Which structures were involved in the policy making process (local, state, federal, international)?
• What outputs (decisions) are discernible in the policy?
• What were the outcomes of the policy making process (in terms of the articulated policy to deal with the policy problem)?
• Can you identify the influence of values and ideology in the perception of the policy problem and suggested ways of addressing it?
• Did the policy process manifest features of incrementalism?
• Are theories of power in society relevant to your analysis?
• What sort of evidence was used in policy formulation? What sort of rationality was this evidence based upon?

Prior to submitting, please check that your assignment has:

 Identified the policy problem or problems
 Made use of at least one model, framework or theory
 Discussed values in the policy
 Explored the discourse (language) evident in the policy

Presentation:
The assignment should be presented in the form of an essay, with an introduction, middle section and conclusion. Headings and sub-headings may be used but are not mandatory, and will contribute to the word count.

References:
Referencing used in the essay must be consistent, based on a recognised referencing style such as APA6

The list of references should not be included in the word count.

References acknowledge that part of your work is based on the work and material of others. Failure to acknowledge that some of your opinions and information have come from others may be regarded as plagiarism. References show your reader the range and nature of your source materials. It is important that any reference you give to published sources provides sufficient detail to enable anyone to find the book or article you are citing. Please be aware that the University places strong emphasis on proper referencing and scholarship.

Style requirements:
The paper must be written in Times New Roman, 12 fonts. Use 1.5 line spacing.

Please insert a cover page that includes your name, student number, title of assignment and word count. Also ensure page numbers are included in the paper.

Extensions, late assignments and special consideration:
An extension to the due date for work requirements will only be given for exceptional circumstances which have affected the student’s ability to complete the work by the due date.

Requests for an extension must be made in writing and agreed to in writing. Extensions must be requested at a minimum of 3 days prior to the due date. The request must be made by submitting an online form that generates an email to the Subject Coordinator (the student needs to add the relevant email address of the Subject Coordinator on the online form). Instructions for the online form are found here
http://www.latrobe.edu.au/students/request-an-extension/

Non-negotiated extensions are not acceptable, and the following penalties apply for late submissions as per University policy (see https://www.latrobe.edu.au/policy/documents/late-submission-of-assessment-tasks-policy.pdf):
• 5% is subtracted from the total mark for each business day; and
• Late assignments will not be accepted after 5 business days following the due date unless an extension has been granted before the due date.

In the case of illness or other extenuating circumstances within 3 days of the due date for the assessment task, you will need to apply for special consideration via the online form: http://www.latrobe.edu.au/special-consideration. Please note that supporting documentation (e.g. a medical certificate) must be provided.

Note: extensions and special consideration CANNOT be granted by email. The online forms must be completed.

Links to policies and forms:

Academic Integrity Policy https://www.latrobe.edu.au/policy/documents/academic-integrity-policy.pdf
Request an extension form http://www.latrobe.edu.au/students/request-an-extension/
Late Submission of Assessment Tasks Policy https://www.latrobe.edu.au/policy/documents/late-submission-of-assessment-tasks-policy.pdf
Special consideration form http://www.latrobe.edu.au/special-consideration

Assessment and marking:

General expectations
Postgraduate students are expected to undertake independent readings and research, beyond set readings and websites, and to apply critical judgement for all assignments. The range of evidence (that is, references) used will inevitably contribute to the quality of thinking and writing, and therefore work requirement outcomes. Some particularly important references and resources for health policy are included on LMS, and students are encouraged to access these through relevant libraries.

In preparing your assignments, students are expected to submit work that adheres to the academic standards required in relation to grammar, expression, formatting, footnoting, referencing and numbering.

Factors influencing marking of assignments
While all assessment contains a degree of subjectivity, the following concerns will influence the marking of assignments
• The degree to which to work displays originality
• Ability to obtain and analyse data and to present it appropriately
• Ability to synthesize ideas
• The use of appropriate concepts, models and theories
• The ability to develop and sustain a line of argument
• Wider reading
• Ability to use sources in a critical way
• Recognition of alternative perspectives
• The quality of written expression
• Factual accuracy
• Observance of conventions governing the citation of sources and the use of the words and ideas of others

Marking criteria:

No. Criteria Mark
1. Knowledge & relevance of content
(Ability to describe background and context, and use relevant examples to illustrate arguments and discussion) 16
2. Quality of analysis
(Ability to critically examine, synthesise and evaluate information and evidence; and present alternative perspectives) 16
3. Use of supporting evidence
(Adequate, relevant and reliable evidence to illustrate and support opinions and arguments; use of wider range of evidence to support positions) 10
4. Organisation
(Ability to present information in a logical and systematic way) 6
5. Writing
(Ability to write clearly: sentence construction, expression, vocabulary, grammar and spelling) 6
6. Referencing
(Proper use of in-text citations, quotations and paraphrasing, and consistency in list of references) 6
7 Late penalty
(Applied for late submissions: 5% per business day) –
Total /60