Microsoft Word - Policy Report.docx
1
ECON3034 Resource and Environmental Economics
Policy Report (20%)
DUE: November 7 @ 11: 55 pm EC
Assignment Description and Instructions:
• The policy report should be no more than 10 pages. It should be typed in Times New
Roman typeface, size 12 and 1.5 line spacing.
• Report should be saved as a PDF document.
• Students MUST reference using the APA referencing style. Quotations of more than two
lines should be set off from the text in single spacing and indented at least 2 inches from
the left-hand margin.
• Tables and figures should appear as close as possible to the text where they are discussed.
They should be listed by number, title and page numbers in the List of figures, tables,
charts, illustrations page.
2
Write a policy report analysing the economic environment of an industry of your choice, which
is found within the Cari
ean region:
(a) Determine the Cari
ean country or countries in which the industry can be found and
construct a table showing the contribution to GDP (for the last five years) for each country.
(b) Identify the main methods of environmental valuation that can be applied and assess their
effectiveness in measuring the negative environmental impacts of the industry.
(c) Based on your assessment of the economic environment, what opportunities and challenges
are likely to emerge for this industry in the long run?
(d) Express your agreement or disagreement with the use of a Cost Benefit Analysis approach
for the purpose of future economic development in this industry.
Support your policy report with specific data, facts and evidence from the Cari
ean.
The following links may be useful:
Writing policy
iefs and Reports - UTM
https:
www.utm.utoronto.ca/asc/sites/files/asc/public/shared/pdf/wdi/sample_course_materials/s
oc/SOC_PolicyWritingGuide.pdf
Writing Sample Policy Report on Affordable Housing
https:
www.slideshare.net/MichelleFeldman5/writing-sample-policy-report-on-affordable-
housing
The policy report should include:
• Introduction
• Literature Review / Critique/ Analysis of status quo
• Opportunities / Challenges
• Evaluation of cost-benefit analysis for the chosen industry
• Conclusion
3
The following ru
ic will be used for the policy report:
Excellent Good Satisfactory Poor
Introduction
(5 marks)
The introduction and
objectives are clearly
stated. Background and
context are clearly
articulated and
effectively linked to
objectives.
5 points
The introduction and
objectives are clear.
Background and context
are partially described and
mostly linked to objectives.
4 points
The introduction and
objectives are clear but
the background and
context are not well
described nor clearly
linked to objectives.
2 – 3 points
The introduction is
vague. Background and
context are vague or
absolutely lacking and
there are no clear links to
objectives.
0-1 points
Literature
Review /
Critique
(10 marks)
Evaluative review of the
cu
ent situation for the
industry with logically
sound reasons and/or
well-chosen examples.
Each assertion is
supported with
esearchable and
verifiable support from
eputable sources. No
ias is evident in the
analysis.
9 - 10 points
Explains most of the factors
impacting the industry with
logically sound reasons
and/or well-chosen
examples.
Assertions are generally
well-researched and
supported by appropriate
eference materials. No
ias is evident in the
analysis.
8 points
Explains some of the
factors impacting the
industry but is weak in
the use of relevant
easons or examples.
Some evidence is
provided to support
many of the assertions,
ut not all. Reference
materials may be
inappropriate.
5 – 7 points
Identifies the factors
impacting the industry
ut little or no attempt to
ca
y out an evaluative
eview.
No relevant reasons
and/or examples
provided.
Assertions and
statements are weak,
unsupported or biased.
0 – 4 points
Opportunities /
Challenges
(20 marks)
At least two
opportunities and two
challenges are presented
for the industry. A
thorough cost-benefit
analysis is provided for
each.
Students are innovative
in identifying relevant
challenges and
opportunities. All ideas
provided are new.
9 - 10 points
At least two opportunities
and two challenges are
presented for the industry.
A thorough cost-benefit
analysis is provided for
each.
Some innovation is
observed in the
identification of challenges
and opportunities. Some of
the ideas provided are new.
8 points
At least two
opportunities and two
challenges are presented
for the industry. An
adequate cost-benefit
analysis is provided for
each.
Little innovation in the
identification of
challenges and
opportunities. Student
elies on ideas/strategies
that already exist. No
new ideas presented.
5 – 7 points
No more than one
opportunity and one
challenge is presented
for the industry.
An inadequate or no
cost-benefit analysis is
provided.
Student simply provides
ideas/strategies that
already exist.
0 – 4 points
Evaluation
(15 marks)
Evaluation indicates
original thought,
synthesis of ideas and in-
depth analysis.
Main points well
developed with high
quality supporting
details. Reveals high
degree of critical
thinking.
Evidence and examples
are vivid and specific.
14 – 15 points
Evaluation indicates
original thinking and
develops ideas with
sufficient and firm
evidence.
Main points well developed
with quality supporting
details. Critical thinking is
weaved into points.
There are good, relevant
supporting examples and
evidence.
11 - 13 points
Evaluation indicates
thinking and reasoning
applied with original
thought on a few ideas.
Main points are present
with limited detail and
development. Some
critical thinking is
present.
There are some examples
and evidence, though
general.
8 – 10 points
Shows some thinking and
easoning but most ideas
are underdeveloped and
unoriginal.
Main points lack detailed
development. Ideas are
vague with little
evidence of critical
thinking.
There are too few, no
examples and evidence
or they are mostly
i
elevant. 0 – 7 points
Conclusion
(5 marks)
Conclusions are clearly
stated and connections
to the arguments and
positions are clear and
elevant. The underlying
logic is explicit.
5 points
Conclusions are clearly
stated but connections to
arguments and positions
are not always clear and
elevant - some aspects
may not be connected or
minor e
ors in the
underlying logic are
present. 4 points
Conclusions are poorly
stated and connections to
arguments and positions
are very unclear /
i
elevant. 3 points
Conclusions are very
poorly stated and the
connections to the
arguments and positions
are inco
ect, unclear,
i
elevant or presented
without explanation.
Underlying logic has
major e
ors.
0 - 2 points
Writing and
References
(5 marks)
The report is coherently
organized and the
arguments and positions
are easy to follow. There
The report is generally well
organized and most of the
arguments and positions
are easy to follow. There
The report is not very
well organised and only a
few arguments and
positions are easy to
The report is poorly
organized and difficult to
ead – does not flow
4
are no spelling or
grammatical e
ors.
Four or more references
were used/ cited.
References were:
1. Appropriate for the
context of the
Project/Report.
2. Were very cu
ent
where applicable using
eferences produces
during the last 2 years
3. Used effectively in the
Project/Report.
4. Written using the
latest APA style format.
5 points
are only a few minor
spelling and/or
grammatical e
ors.
Three references were
used/ cited.
References were:
1. Mostly appropriate for
the context of the
Project/Report.
2. Not always cu
ent using
eferences produced later
than 2 years
3. Used mostly effectively in
the Project/Report.
4. Written using the latest
APA style format for the
most part.
4 points
follow. There are a few
minor spelling and / or
grammatical e
ors.
Two references were
used/ cited
References were:
1. Somewhat appropriate
for the context of the
Project/Report.
2. Were for the most part,
outdated i.e. produced
later than 4 years ago
3. Not effectively used in
the Project/Report.
4. Written using the
latest APA style format
was inconsistent
throughout
3 points
logically from one part to
another.
The arguments and
positions are not easy to
understand.
Only one reference or no
eferences were used/
cited.
References, if used
were:
1. Not appropriate for
the context of
Project/Report.
2. Not cu
ent – used
eferences older than 4
years
3. Ineffectively used in
the Project/Report.
4. Not written using the
Latest APA style.
0-2 points