FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES
HSCI 206 The Economics of Health and Health Care (Fall 2020)
Final (take-home) Assignment
Due date: Wednesday, December 16th before 5pm (PST)
Submission: File upload (Canvas)
Weighting: 30% of the overall course grade
Feedback: There will be no feedback for the final assignment
Word limit: 1500 words
TASK: You have been asked to conduct an economic evaluation alongside a large randomized controlled trial,
where you have the opportunity to collect data from trial participants. Discuss important considerations
(including strengths and limitations) when deciding what data you require in order to perform your chosen
type(s) of economic evaluation.
Write your answer for one of the following scenarios:
• The intervention is a parent-focused educational program to treat anxiety disorders in
children aged 12 and under.
• The intervention is a new drug treatment for a progressive and degenerative disease. The
drug does not cure the disease, but early evidence shows that it may slow the progression to
more severe health states. Typically, onset of the disease occurs around ages 30-39.
(Details of the two scenarios are intentionally brief. Use your chosen scenario as a framework around which to
discuss important considerations regarding the design and conduct of an economic evaluation.)
Formatting Requirements, Reminders & Submission*
– Submit the task (“the assignment”) as a single text document (not a PDF document)
– On the first page, include your name and student number only
– Text should be double-spaced
– No larger than a 12-point font, no smaller than a 10-point font
– Include page numbers
– Be consistent with your chosen referencing style (the reference list does not contribute to the word
limit but ‘in text’ citations do)
– Do not include footnotes or appendices (footnotes and appendices should not be seen as a way to
circumvent the word limit restriction)
– The title of the task (if included) does not count toward the word limit. However, all other headings
(and subheadings) are included in the word count
– Assignments are to be uploaded to Canvas
* The course syllabus provides details for grade appeals, late assignments, academic dishonesty and student conduct
Grading Rubric & Approximate Weighting
Planning & Clarity of Issues (10%)
– Configuration of the assignment. Ensuring you are not…
o Stretching out your discussion of a particular topic/issue
o Repeating issues/arguments
o Including information that doesn’t serve to support your answer
Application & Evidence of Further Reading (40%)
– Including material from the required readings, additional readings and any further readings identified in
your preparation for writing the assignment
– Making sure that sources fit the flow of your paper and are not just included for the sake of it
– Ensuring that you are not:
o Citing class lectures
o Including non-scholarly sources
– Mastering relevant material and effectively using it in your assignment includes the ability to explain
the links between key issues
Appropriate Use of Terminology (40%)
– Including relevant content and correct use of economic terms/principles
o Including economic concepts that are not relevant to the topic of this assignment will result in
a loss of marks
– Applying relevant economic theory and ‘accepted’ practices to support your answer
Writing Style, Format & Structure (10%)
– Clear writing, with careful editing and attention to conventional scholarly standards
– The paper should have a natural, easy-to-read flow
– As with all written assignments, the paper should have a clear, logical structure
– All submission requirements should be met
Grading Guidelines
– You will receive a letter grade for the final assignment
– Late submissions will be penalized at a rate of five percentage points for each day (including part of a
day) past the deadline
– The word limit is fixed. Five percentage points will be deducted for an assignment that exceeds the
word limit
A+ is from 90% to 100%: reserved for exceptional work that greatly exceeds course expectations.
A is from 85% to 89%: a mark of this order suggests a very high level of performance on all criteria used for
evaluation. Assignments deserving an A are distinguished in virtually every aspect. They show that the student
significantly shows initiative, creativity and insight, where appropriate. Further, to achieve this grade, the
student must show careful attention to requirements as established by the instructor.
A- is from 80% to 84%: awarded for generally high quality of performance, no problems of any significance, and
fulfillment of all requirements.
B level (70% to 79%): this category of achievement is typified by good but unexceptional performance when
the criteria of assessment are considered. It is distinguished from A level work by problems such as: one of
more significant errors in understanding, superficial representation of key concepts, absence of any special
initiatives, or lack of coherent organization or explanation of ideas. The level of B work is judged in accordance
with the severity of the difficulties demonstrated. B+ is from 77% to 79%, B is from 74% to 76%, and B- is from
70% to 73%
C+ & C level (64% to 69%): marginal performance – minimal integration of course concepts and limited skill in
using them to satisfy the requirements of the assignment; expectations of the assignment have not all been
met; issues with writing and grammar are present. C+ is from 67% to 69%, C is from 64% to 66%.
C- & D level (50% to 63%): poor performance – minimal implementation of concepts; many aspects of the
assignment have not been satisfied; significant structural and/or grammatical issues present; course material is
poorly integrated or absent. C- is from 60% to 63%, D is from 50% to 59%.
F Level (below 50%): fail – fails to satisfy the basic requirements of the assignment; writing vastly below
academic standards. Could also reflect an assignment not turned in or a violation of academic honesty policy.