GOVT 223: American Politics and Institutions
Writing Assignment 1: Research Question
Assignment: Due on February 6
Write a paragraph to page-long statement that introduces your research topic, poses your core question or questions and briefly outlines how you plan to proceed in terms of the types of sources you are considering and where you think you can find them.
Grading:
The research question is worth 10% of your final grade.
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General Guidelines:
Topic Introduction:
The purpose of an introduction is to quickly familiarize the reader with your topic. What is it that you are going to discuss and/or research? A good way of doing this is to briefly explain what you know about the topic and why you think it is interesting and worthy of further investigation.
Research Question:
When searching for a question, or a way to state it, ask yourself: What do you think about existing interpretations of, or debates (that you know of) concerning
your topic? In particular, what about prevailing understandings or interpretations
of your topic seem unclear, or unsettled to you?
Asking a question about the topic does two things: 1) it helps you organize your paper (and thoughts), and 2) it offers you a means of jumping into an existing debate or discussion and contributing some new idea or insight. A reader wants to know what topic or issues you plan to address, as well as what new ideas you hope to contribute to the existing discussion.
Research Outline:
I want you to start thinking about how you plan to proceed with your research.
When answering this part of the assignment, think about what literature (academic
articles, government or NGO reports, for example) or general sources
(newspapers, broadcast news, news magazines, or books) you intend to use.
Sample Outline:
Title: Trashy Language: Assessing the Impact of Lobbyist-Proposed Legislative Language on State E-Waste Policy
I. Introduction
Topic:The Impact of Lobbyist-Proposed Legislative Language on State Electronic-Waste Policy
Question:What role does lobbyist-proposed legislative language have on the ability of a lobbying interest to influence legislative outcomes, and thus win in competition with other interest groups?
Introductory Literature Review: (Introduce Schools of Thought)
Exchange Theory: Lobbying influences legislative action either through an exchange of
contributions, financial or otherwise for votes.
Persuasion Theory: Lobbying influences legislative action by way of information-based
strategic persuasion.
Limitations: The role of lobbyist-proposed legislative language, as a form of
persuasion has not been systematically analyzed.
Thesis: (Argument):
The use of specific legislative language by lobbyists does have a significant influence on legislative outcomes.
Hypothesis:
It is my contention that lobbyists who provide legislators with language that a lawmaker see as “constructive,” or more or less trustworthy and intended to further rather than destroy filed legislation are more likely to influence legislators and thus win in competition with other interest groups.
Roadmap:
Outline Paper: Review Different Schools of Thought (Exchange and Persuasion)
Statement of Sources
II. Literature Review
School of Thought One: Exchange Theory
Scholars: (Denzau and Munger 1986; Synder 1992; Hall and Deardorff 2006)
Summary: According to exchange theories of interest group advocacy, lobbying
involves a form of barter or trade between lobbyists and legislators.
Critique: There are clear limits to exchange theories of lobbying, including questions
relating to how implied contracts are enforced, and the frequency with lobbyists focus their attention on sympathetic rather than undecided legislators.
School of Thought Two: Persuasion Theory
Scholars: (Hansen 1991; Austen-Smith and Wright 1994; Evans 1989)
Summary: In persuasion models, lobbyists provide informational signaling in order to
gain access to legislators and persuade them of the benefits of a particular policy course.
Critique: (Optional)
Support: Persuasion arguments have helped account for not only how, but why influence does or does not occur.
Transitional Paragraph:
III: Argument/Analysis
Research Design: Panel Study
To measure the comparative impact of a language-based strategy, I conducted a pre and post-test/panel study of filed and finalized, passed and amended e-waste legislation in each of the states (19 in total)that have passed such laws that include TVs since 2003.
Scoring:
To measure the before and after effects of a language strategy in each state, I scored the favorability of all e-waste legislation on a five point scale based on both its similarity to market share requirements, and the stated preferences of legacy TV lobby.
(Best: Success) (Worst: Failure)
Market share Placeholder Bills Flat Fees Weight of Product Return Share
12 3 4 5
IV: Conclusion: Review/Restate Overall Argument