Research Guides: Social Welfare Policies and Services II: SSW 5006: Find Policy Research

Identifying Policies and Finding Background Information

CQ Researcher This link opens in a new window
Note: As of July 2023, CQ Researcher has an updated platform and URL. Please update bookmarks accordingly.
Concurrent user limit: 20
CQ Researcher provides reports written by journalists, footnoted and fact-checked. Full-length articles include an overview, historical background, chronology, pro/con feature, plus resources for additional research. Graphics, photos and short "sidebar" features round out the reports.
Library Search: Books This link opens in a new window
Social historians and other scholars often publish books about particular social issues that cover the history of a social problem, causes and responses, and give an overview of the relevant policy making.

Wikipedia
Once you have identified a particular policy or piece of legislation, the Wikipedia page for it may have convenient links out to relevant government documents and research reports.

Government research reports

Government Accountability Office (GAO) Reports
Reports discuss the efficiency, effectiveness, and cost-benefit of selected legislation. Browse by date and search by topic.

HeinOnline This link opens in a new window
To find Congressional Research Services (CRS) reports, go to Browse Databases by Name --> U.S. Congressional Documents --> CRS Reports. The CRS puts together analysis by request for Congress about issues surrounding legislation.

CRS reports can also be searched on the Congressional Research Services website.

USA.gov
Portal to government information and services. Browse by agency to find research reports and policy briefs on agency websites.

State Level

Start with the state government website, which you can find using the State Legislative Websites. Also go to state government resources.

For a multi-state or all state comparison, use HeinOnline National Survey of State Laws or Nexis Uni. These sources can also be used to search for regulations or administrative codes and cases.

For a comparison of state bills, try the National Conference of State Legislatures bill tracking database first.

Look up a state manual or "blue book." For an internet search, be aware that a state or city may use several domains (gov, us, edu, org, com). Look up the domains at Search government URL.

Agency and think tank reports

Think Tanks, advocacy organizations, and foundations often provide policy research reports. These can be found in databases, and on individual organization websites.

American Policy Directory
Links to think tank and advocacy group websites by topic via University of Oregon Libraries
Harvard Kennedy School Think Tank Search
Think Tank Search searches the websites of institutions that generate public policy research, analysis, and activity. These sites are affiliated with universities, governments, advocacy groups, foundations, and non-governmental organizations.
Policy Commons
Note: This is the free version of Policy Commons.
Policy Commons offers access to over a million policy documents from thousands of IGOs, NGOs, research centers and think tanks. Includes the digital archive of global, non-partisan public policy research previously known as PolicyArchive.

Policy File Index This link opens in a new window
Policy File Index is a resource for U.S. public policy research. Users are able to access timely, updated information from over 350 public policy think tanks, nongovernmental organizations, research institutes, university centers, advocacy groups, and other entities.

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