Gerontology 201

What is a Policy? A policy is a principle, intent, viewpoint, goal, position, or recommendation.

Policies provide guidance to decision-makers or advocacy to people who influence the decision-makers.

How to write a policy brief, Part 1:

Identify the decision-makers you want to reach out to: President, Congress, agency heads, citizens, stakeholders, etc.
Influencers: constituents, voters, citizens, journalists, the population served and those connected to them.

• What is the problem?
• Who does the problem impact?
• Analyze how the problem impacts individuals and society
• List and evaluate existing solutions. Pros and cons? Room for improvement?
• Advocate for your position--why is it the best solution to the problem?

Browse or brainstorm topics

Think about things you would like to see improve or change where change could only come from a decision from a larger group, like the State or Federal government.

Browse through the Encyclopedias or websites in the "Supporting your policy brief" section of this guide for ideas.

How to write a policy brief, Part 2

After settling on a topic and a direction, find credible research and statistics to support the policy position

1. Begin with definitions from Social Work, Gerontology, or Legal dictionaries or encyclopedias (not the general sources, subject specific!)
2. Find existing policies to improve or to use as examples to aspire to.
3. Search research databases for more in-depth articles on the topic
4. Find statistics from the US Census, Statistical Abstracts, or other reliable sources such as the CDC

Pro tip: When you are in library records (the library catalog or library databases) copy and save the APA citation.