Choose and evaluate the empirical strength of one Queensland law or policy (e.g. OMCG legislation, government’s current policy on youth justice, domestic violence, police body worn cameras; lock-out legislation).
1. Define / explain the issues/problems that the law or policy is addressing
2. Identify Queensland’s most recent law or policy on the topic – describe it and identify the key elements.
3. Find and describe any scientific evidence available regarding this law or policy. Identify where there is a lack of evidence. Does the evidence support or undermine the law or policy?
4. Consider the evidence more generally, what do you think are the strengths and weaknesses of the Queensland law or policy?
5. Should Queensland be implementing this law or policy? Why or why not?
6. Suggest changes or amendments that would create an evidence-based law or policy.
7. How might Queensland evaluate the effectiveness of the law or policy? Provide details of an impact and process evaluation design.
Students must prepare a 2,000 word essay (plus or minus 10%, excluding the reference list). Your essay must include a minimum of ten scholarly sources. Your essay must include proper citation and referencing of sources. Students must follow the APA 6th style of referencing, please refer to the guide available in the library. Appropriate sources include monographs, book chapters, journal articles, and government reports. Publications that are available electronically (such as from the Trends and Issues series from the Australian Institute of Criminology, reports of the Crime and Misconduct Commission, or articles from journals available through the library’s electronic holdings) can be used.