LibGuides: Public Policy: Think Tanks, Organizations, and Additional Resources

Think Tanks

Think tanks are research organizations that provide research, analysis, and advice on domestic and international issues. Think tank organizations may be affiliated with a political position, advocacy group, or a non-partisan organization.

Why would I need to use think tank research? If you're working on a project where you need to include perspectives on a policy, think tanks employ experts that can help you find that analysis. It is usually published faster and can be more comprehensive than a scholarly journal article, but think tanks still use academic research methods.

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Brookings Institution
Centrist research institute
Center for American Progress
Independent progressive public policy research institute
Council on Foreign Relations
Centrist think tank on foreign policy, health, and politics
Economic Policy Institute
Left-leaning organization focused on labor and economic issues.
Heritage Foundation
Conservative public policy research organization.
Middle East Institute
Non-partisan, based in Washington.
RAND International
Non-partisan research organization focused on all topics

Grey (or gray) literature include research and publications produced outside the traditional academic publishing (see this FAQ on the peer review process). Examples of grey literature include reports, conference abstracts, presentations, working papers, government documents, white papers, and evaluations. Also see "Organizations and Think Tanks" for additional grey literature.

Annenberg Public Policy Center
Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania is a communication policy center which releases research reports on their website.
GPO Congressional Serial Set
The United States Congressional Serial Set collection was digitized by the Law Library of Congress, and is made publicly available through a partnership between the U.S. Government Publishing Office and the Law Library of Congress. The joint digitization project is a multi-year effort. Additional volumes of the Serial Set will be added to this collection as they are available.
Institution for Social and Policy Studies
Yale University's Institution for Social Policy Studies includes publications by their affiliates including policy briefs and working papers.
IssueLab
"IssueLab is an online publishing forum for nonprofit research... to more effectively archive, distribute and promote the extensive and diverse body of work being produced by the third sector."
National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)
Non-peer reviewed working papers from the NBER consisting of new research intended for discussion and comments.
United States Government Manual
As the official handbook of the Federal Government, The United States Government Manual provides information on the agencies of the legislative, judicial, and executive branches. It also includes information on quasi-official agencies; international organizations in which the United States participates; and boards, commissions, and committees.
US Congressional Resources
Congress.gov is the official website for U.S. federal legislative information. The site provides access to accurate, timely, and complete legislative information for Members of Congress, legislative agencies, and the public.
US Supreme Court
Filings & Rulings, Oral arguments, Case documents, and other literature from the United States Supreme Court

Organizations & Think Tanks

Amnesty International
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a non-governmental organization which aims to, "to conduct research and generate action to prevent and end grave abuses of human rights, and to demand justice for those whose rights have been violated."
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
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Global, independent, non-partisan think tank devoted to advancing peace
Center for Global Development
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Independent think tank focused on research to end global poverty and inequality.
Center fo Strategic & International Studies (CSIS)
"The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a bipartisan, nonprofit policy research organization dedicated to advancing practical ideas to address the world’s greatest challenges."
Council on Foreign Relations
Centrist think tank on foreign policy, health, and politics
European Policy Centre
Institute for Economics and Peace
Australian think tank which publishes the peace index
Middle East Institute
Non-partisan, based in Washington.
RAND International
Non-partisan research organization focused on all topics

American Enterprise Institute
Conservative public policy research institute focused on governmental affairs
Brookings Institution
Centrist research institute
Cato Institute
Conservative/Libertarian organization focused on economic and public policy research.
Center for American Progress
Independent progressive public policy research institute
Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP)
Affiliated with Rutgers University and the leading source of scholarly research and current data about American women’s political participation.
Center for Public Integrity
Liberal organization devoted to investigative journalism
Eagleton Institute of Politics
Affiliated with Rutgers University
Economic Policy Institute
Left-leaning organization focused on labor and economic issues.
Heritage Foundation
Conservative public policy research organization.
Hoover Institution
Conservative think tank that seeks to, "improve the human condition by advancing ideas that promote economic opportunity and prosperity, while securing and safeguarding peace for America and all mankind."
Human Rights Watch
Non governmental organization researching and working on human rights issues.
Kaiser Permanente Institute for Health Policy
"The Kaiser Permanente Institute for Health Policy’s mission is to shape policy and practice with evidence and experience from the nation’s largest private integrated health care delivery and financing organization."
Pew Research Center
Non-partisan research organization focused on journalism, American politics, public opinion, internet and society, and other topics.
Policy Archive
PolicyArchive is a comprehensive digital library of public policy research containing over 30,000 documents.
Reason Foundation
Libertarian research organization focusing on free markets.
University of Oregon Policy Directory
Directory of advocacy organizations by topic

Public Policy Institute of CA
The Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank. Their mission is to inform and improve public policy in California through independent, objective, nonpartisan research.
Legislative Analysts Office
The Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO) has provided fiscal and policy advice to the Legislature for 75 years.
Little Hoover Commission
The Commission's mission is to investigate state government operations and policy, and – through reports and legislative proposals – make recommendations to the Governor and Legislature to promote economy, efficiency and improved service in state operations.
California statistical abstract
An annual report that compiled data on social, economic, and physical aspects of California from various government agencies.