17.309/ESD.082/STS.082  Science, Tech, & Public Policy

Ken Oye will hold a pre-exam office hour 2:30-3:30 PM on Monday 12/14

Review session notes

10/11 December 2015

Note: An updated version of the exam has been posted to the materials section of Stellar. Changes and additions are highlighted in yellow.

FAQ list

General Questions
1. General: How long should the essays be?

A: Approximately the same length as the midterm. We expect that each section will take 45-60 minutes each to write.

2. General: do we need to answer all parts in all questions, as in “a and b and c”.

A: Yes. In all cases with parts listed a, b, c, etc. you must answer all parts for full credit.

3. General: many of the answers to these questions seem subjective

A: Yes, we are looking for the quality of your support for a specific position, not a textbook “right answer”

Section 1: Short Answers
4. S-1: Do the mechanisms have to come from the passive smoking case?

A: The mechanisms should be general in nature. They may be derived from the passive smoking case, or another case that you know well, but they should apply across a wide variety of cases.

5. S-1: Please clarify the word “mechanism”

A: By mechanism, we mean: spelling out the logical connection and behavioral pathways that lead from cause (funding) to effect (results)

6. S-4: Does your answer to part B have to address the ‘most problematic standard’ that you identified in part A?

a. A: No, you may offer a way of supporting judges that does not address the problem you identified in part A.

7. S-5: Please answer this question with respect to specific, tightly-defined problem or issue areas, not whole branches of scientific endeavor (e.g. civilian nuclear power plant construction, not all of nuclear engineering)

8. S-5: What does “select” mean in the context of this
question?

a. A: It means picking candidate areas for closer scrutiny.

9. S-6: Note that we are suggesting you pick only one case and walk through all three indicator types with respect to that one case. However, you may support your example with evidence from other cases or draw connections between cases if you choose to.

Section 2, Knowledge Assessment Essays: 10. KA-1: Note that we would like you to address this question by selecting and analyzing the issues at hand through the lens of one or more issue areas.

11. KA-1: Can I select an independent research organization like the NRC as the alternate institution that I would want to analyze?

A: No, the NRC is primarily an evaluative organization. You must
select an institution like MIT which has both research and
knowledge assessment responsibilities. Alternative examples you might select include other universities, the national labs, and FFRDCs.

12. KA-1: If I select one of the two opposing positions presented in this question, do I need to address each and every concern listed in that position?

A: No, you do not need to treat these idealized positions as checklists. Your goal is to pick a position and make the strongest possible case for it. This may require you to focus on some issues, while de-emphasizing others.

13. KA-2: Note that you cannot write about McCray Associates unless you have really considered both the Diogenes and Prevaricor cases. It is a harder question than writing on either Diogenes or Prevaricor.

14. KA-2: Note that “long term viability” refers to the firms’ ability to remain in business over the long-term given their stated business models.

15. KA-3: “It depends” is not a sufficient answer. If you want to endorse a mixed approach, you must specify the precise conditions under which you would employ one method or the other.

16. KA-3: If you select a mixed approach do you need to identify two good and two bad examples to illustrate both the pros and cons of technocratic and adversarial approaches?

A. If you argue for a mixed approach you must illustrate the pros and cons of both adversarial and technocratic approaches so that your reader understands the shortcomings of these approaches that you plan to overcome by using a mixed approach. You must use your judgment in selecting and discussing cases that support your position.

17. KA-3: What does “really bad” mean in this context?

A: It means an example where a particular approach yielded a result that you consider to be bad according to your own evaluation criteria. You should tell us what your judgment criteria are within your paper.


Section 3: Integrated Essays 18. Integrated-1: Note that you could provide a very short answer to cover part “c” of this question. However, we would like to see some justification of your reasoning.

19. Integrated-2: Note that knowledge assessment and terms of trade-offs play an important role in answering part “b”

20. Integrated-2: What “these criteria” are you referring to in part “a”?

A: By “Explain why your cases fit these criteria” we mean “Explain why one of your cases guards against false positives by requiring high standards of proof before action and why one of your cases guards against false negatives by accepting variants on the precautionary principle.”

21. Integrated-2: How do we decide what defines a “false positive” versus a “false negative” in the context of the question?

A: Most cases can be defined using either term, depending on what you use as the baseline condition (safety vs. detecting terrorist threats, for example). As long as you clearly articulate how and why you are defining your case, we will not take issue with the “side” you pick.

22. Integrated-3: In part “a” should we answer with respect to an attempt at adaptation that failed or with a case where adaptation was never even attempted?

A: You may answer with respect to either, though we have a preference for engaging with an example of adaptation that failed.

FAQS FROM REVIEW SESSIONS AND EMAILS

Query1. Could you clarify “prospecting and refining” (Q1)?

Answer1. KO gave example of plant with medicinal value.  Prospecting and refining are the things you need to do to take something that exists in nature and turn it into something of (medicinal) (economic) value.

 

Query2. Are “non-obvious” and “new” really different (Q1)?

Answer2. Yes, these are different.

 

Query3. Can you clarify what “to appropriate legacies” means (Q1)?

Answer3. Appropriating a legacy means laying claim to something that exists in nature or was created by humanity. 

 

Query 4.  Could you clarify the meanings of “before-market-entry“ and “after-market-entry”?

A4.  Market entry here refers to the point at which a good is sold to consumers.  Before-market-entry risk shielding involves proof of safety (and possibly efficacy) before an item reaches its end consumer.  After-market-entry risk shielding only occurs after evidence of some harm. 

 

Query5. How should we think about the options provided for Q2b?

Answer5. The options provide starting points – examples of ways of altering barriers to entry.  You are free to stick with them or develop your own.  In any case, answer the question with reference to two or more examples.

 

Query6. Q3 asks for an answer along three dimensions (early/late, universal/narrow, complete/incomplete) – do we pick one combination of the three dimensions or answer all?

Answer6. Answer with respect to all three dimensions, but each dimension can be conditional on different circumstances.  All cases do not need to fit into one model, but be clear about the bases of differentiation in your argument.

 

Query7. Q3 asks about internet and synbio.  Do we need to discuss both?

Answer7. Q3 asks for a comparison between two areas with reference to technical standardization and regulatory harmonization.  You may use any two areas of interest as long as you cover and compare the relevant issues.

 

Query8. How should we organize our essays?  

Answer8. Please use headings and topic sentences to clearly delineate the structure of your essays. 

 

Query9. What is the intended length for short and long essays?

Answer9.  Short answers have typically been approximately half a page.  That said, the answer must be complete.   Long answers are more variable.    Please answer all parts of the long essay question you pick.  You will not have time to ramble.  You will have time to lay out a coherent argument with clear support that answers the entire question.  Making the structure of your essay clear will also help you manage length and time.

 

 

Query10. How do we hand in our exams?

Answer10.  You will email the exam to your TA.   All answers should be in a single document.  File name and subject line should be:      STPP-MID-YOURLASTNAME-YOURFIRSTNAME

 

Query11. Do we need to use a computer?

Answer11.  We will bring blue books for written exams.  However, your handwriting must be legible to receive credit for hand-written answers.

 

Query12. Which document format/software should we use?

Answer12. If you write your exam in MS Word, please submit a Word document.  If you write your exam in another format, please submit a PDF. 

 

Query 13.  How should we lay out our document?

Answer13.  Please use Ariel Narrow 11 point with 1/2 margins all around and single-spacing.

Office Hours

Amanda Giang T 11-12 pm, in E51-085, or by appointment

Marika Landau Wells, 11-12  in E40-444B or by appointment

Tim McDonnell Wed. 11-12 in E40-444B or by appointment

Ken Oye  M 5-5:45 66-168; Wed 3-4 E25-112 or by appointment in E40-437

M 10/19   L12 Imperfect Information: Consent and Risk Shielding
M-T          R5  Security and Risk Shielding
W 10/21  L13  Risk Shielding (carry over) and Adverse Selection
                Draft P1  Email TA wi Subject STPP-P1-DRAFT-LASTNAME-FIRSTNAME
M 10/26   L14 Coordination - Technical Standards 
M-T         R6 Adverse Selection and Technical Standards
W 10/28  L15 Coordination - Regulatory Harmonization
F  10/30   Optional Midterm Review Sessions 11AM-12PM and 5-6PM in E40-496 Lucian Pye Conference Room
M 11/02   Midterm Exam