Public Policy
From Simmons Library Research Guides
We have selected these resources to help you find relevant information on your research topic. Please contact a librarian for help using the resources listed in this guide or for help with your research process.
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Reference and Background Information
Search for Reference sources that contain information about your specific research topic here:
You may also consult the resources below for overviews of the topic that you have chosen to research. Use these resources to help you to put your topic in context and give you the big picture of what information exists about your topic. These resources may have bibliographies at the end of each entry that can help further your research.
- Almanac of Policy Issues
Free Online
"Background information, archived documents, and links on major U.S. public policy issues."
- Congressional Publications
Simmons Eresource
From the main LexisNexis page, click on the Congressional Publications link on the right under "Related Products". Perform in-depth research in public policy, historical, and legal areas of interest. The basic subscription includes abstracts and indexing for congressional publications, legislative histories, member biographies, committee assignments, voting records, and financial data; and the full text of key regulatory and statutory resources. Use LexisNexis Congressional to pinpoint expert testimony on the leading issues of the day; tap authoritative sources of statistics, projections, and analyses; discover a law's intent by tracing its legislative history; obtain information about Members of Congress; access the full text primary source congressional publications; monitor legislation and public policy on almost any topic; review the Federal regulations that implement legislation; learn the makeup and mission of congressional committees.
- CQ Electronic Library
Simmons Eresource
An online collection of publications from Congressional Quarterly that can be searched and used individually or across the collection.
- CQ Weekly
Simmons Eresource
Provides weekly coverage of the U.S. Congress, including status of bills, votes and amendments; floor and committee activity; and backroom maneuvering.
- CQ Researcher
Simmons Eresource
CQ Researcher publishes weekly reports on issues in the news, and provides thorough and up-to-date coverage on various topics such as social trends, criminal justice, international affairs, education, the environment, technology, and the economy. Each 12,000-word report includes an overview, chronology, pro/con statements, a bibliography, and more.
- CQ Global Researcher
Simmons Eresource
Provides international perspectives on the most vital world issues with original, single-topic reports.
- Dictionary of Social Welfare
Level 1 Reference HV12 .T54 1982
This book covers words relating to social welfare and defines them according to their use in the field. Targeted at students, this is an excellent resource for help decoding jargon.
- Electronic Policy Network
Free Online
"The leading source for progressive public policy on the net." Includes news releases which can be browsed by subject.
- GPO
Simmons Eresource
Government Printing Office contains U.S. government resources and covers all types of U.S. government documents, including: Congressional reports, hearings, debates, and records; judiciary materials; documents issued by executive departments (Defense, State, Labor, Office of the President, etc.)
- Handbook of Social Intervention
Level 1 Reference HN59.2 .H37 1983
This book is intended as a supplement for professionals and students in multiple fields in its coverage of community and social intervention. More of a textbook than a quick source of information, this book is written in a dense, academic style.
- Massachusetts Political Almanac
Level 1 Reference JK3130 .A6
This source provides information about all branches of the state government, the U.S. Congressional delegation from Massachusetts, public interest groups, and state agencies. Biographical and contact information, as well as statistics on key votes, priorities, and organization memberships are included for all state office incumbents.
- Open CRS Network
Free Online
The Congressional Research Service (CRS) provides reports to members of Congress on a variety of topics relevant to current political events. A project of the Center for Democracy & Technology through the cooperation of several organizations and collectors of CRS Reports, Open CRS provides citizens access to CRS Reports already in the public domain and encourages Congress to provide public access to all CRS Reports.
- Social Issues in America
Level 1 Reference HN57 .S624 2006
This eight-volume encyclopedia is a good resource for thorough, introductory reading on current social problems. Each signed, essay-length entry includes a bibliography, websites, a glossary, and the text of relevant official documents at the end. Although the essays are organized in alphabetical order, the excellent Topic Finder at the beginning of each volume helps locate the narrower topics within larger issues such as "Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Issues" and "Health and Medicine Issues."
- Vital Statistics on American Politics
Simmons Eresource
This source provides information about political parties, elections, public opinions, and voting. It provides historic and current information about members of each branch of the federal government; analysis of foreign, military, economic, and social policy; and even key data about the role and relationship of the media in American politics.
- Washington Information Directory
Free Online
This source provides short descriptions of and contact information for government agencies and NGO's.
- Comprehensive Handbook of Social Work and Social Welfare
Level 1 Reference HV40 .C635 2008
Overviews of social work topics include history, current issues, future projections, and resources. Each main topic has its own volume: The Profession of Social Work, Human Behavior in the Social Environment, Social Work Practice, and Social Policy and Policy Practice. This fourth volume on policy would be useful to anyone researching social policy, including those doing so outside the scope of the Social Work discipline.
Government Agencies
- First Gov
Free Online
As the U.S. government's official web portal, USA.gov makes it easy for the public to get U.S. government information and services on the web. USA.gov also serves as the catalyst for a growing electronic government. This website also features pages for various audiences, such as a page specifically for college students with many helpful links and information. Users may view this web page in other language.
- Department of Education
Free Online
ED was created in 1980 by combining offices from several federal agencies. ED's mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access. This web site includes pages specific for students, parents, teachers, or administrators. Other links provided through this source includes information on grants & contracts, student financial aid, research & statistics, policy, and programs.
- Executive Office of Health and Human Services for the State of Massachusetts
Free Online
Includes resources on MassHealth, child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, elder abuse, transitional aid, disability services, etc.
- Library of Congress
Free Online
- Social Security Administration
Free Online
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Free Online
A division of the US Department of Health and Human Services, SAMHSA has 3 centers that contain current data and statistics: Mental Health Service, Substance Abuse Prevention, and Substance Abuse Treatment.
- State of Massachusetts Official Homepage
Free Online
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Free Online
Find current information regarding the health of Americans on a variety of topoics, including but not limited to aging, preventative child abuse, domestic violence, and Medicare.
- U.S. Department of Health and Humam Services, Adminstration for Children and Families
Free Online
Provides information on welfare, child care, child support, etc., at the state and local organizational levels.
- United States House of Representatives
Free Online
- United States Senate
Free Online
- White House
Free Online
NGOs
- Brookings Institute
Free Online
"The Brookings Institution , a private, independent, nonprofit organization, is the nation's oldest think tank, conducting nonpartisan research in economics, governmental studies, foreign policy, and the social sciences generally . Its principal purpose is to bring knowledge to bear on the public policy issues facing the American people."
- Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Free Online
Up-to-date information regarding proposed budget and tax policies, specifically how they affect low-income families.
- Center on Education Policy
Free Online
The Center on Education Policy is a national, independent advocate for public education and for more effective public schools.
- Center for Strategic and International Studies
Free Online
The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) focuses on global security issues with particular emphases on defense and security policy, global challenges, and regional transformation.
- Economic Policy Institute
Free Online
According to its website, "[t]he Economic Policy Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank that seeks to broaden the public debate about strategies to achieve a prosperous and fair economy." This searchable resource contains discussion, analysis, and links to other sites about current economic matters, including statistics, labor, income, economic snapshots and indicators, opinion pieces, unemployment, foreign trade, and demographics.
- Heritage Foundation
Free Online
The Heritage Foundation is a think tank/advocacy organization "whose mission is to formulate and promote conservative public policies." Its website offers speeches, statements, reports, and news on key public policy issues along with information about the Foundation.
- Institute of Government and Public Affairs
Free Online
The website of the Institute of Government and Public Affairs, University of Illinois, offers journal articles, working papers, opinion pieces, and other works on public policy, government policy, and public administration.
- RAND Institute
Free Online
"RAND's mission is to improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis. ... RAND researchers analyze choices and developments in many areas, including national defense, education and training, health care, criminal and civil justice, labor and population, science and technology, community development, international relations, and regional studies."
- Urban Institute
Free Online
"A nonpartisan economic and social policy research organization." Provides research reports on topics such as crime, economy, housing, healthcare, welfare, etc.
Finding Articles
Below are suggested databases and indexes for articles on the topic that you have chosen to research. These databases include articles from newspapers, magazines and scholarly journals. Articles are shorter and more narrowly focused than books or reference materials so you should use them after you have narrowed your topic.
- PAIS
Simmons Eresource
The PAIS International database from CSA contains references to more than 553,300 journal articles, books, government documents, statistical directories, grey literature, research reports, conference reports, publications of international agencies, microfiche, Internet material, and more. This resource includes publications from over 120 countries throughout the world. In addition to English, some of the indexed materials are published in French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish.
- Social Services Abstracts
Simmons Eresource
This database covers current research on social work, human services and related areas. The database abstracts and indexes over 1,300 serials publications and includes abstracts of journal articles and dissertations, and citations to book reviews. It is updated monthly.
- Academic Search Complete
Simmons Eresource
Academic Search Complete is a great place to start your search for both popular and scholarly articles, no matter what your topic is! It contains journals from almost every topic and is designed specifically for academic institutions. It provides more than 5,300 full-text periodicals, 4,400 of which are peer-reviewed journals. This resource also features content as far back as 1865.
- Academic Onefile
Simmons Eresource
Academic Onefile contains 8,000 academic journals, the majority in full-text, available in HTML and PDF formats. In addition it contains hundreds of podcasts and transcripts from NPR, CNN, and the CBC.
- Expanded Academic ASAP
Simmons Eresource
From arts and the humanities to social sciences, science and technology, this database meets research needs across all academic disciplines. Access scholarly journals, news magazines, and newspapers - many with full text and images. Updated daily.
TIP: Use the Advanced Search for a more precise search!
- Social Work Abstracts
Simmons Eresource
Social Work Abstracts, from the National Association of Social Workers, contains more than 45,000 records from social work and other related journals on topics such as homelessness, AIDS, child and family welfare, aging, substance abuse, legislation, community organization, and more. Exceptional coverage of more than 450 journals in all areas of the profession, including theory and practice, services, social issues and social problems.
- Sociological Abstracts
Simmons Eresource
A key resource for finding published research in sociology and related disciplines in the social and behavioral sciences. The database draws information from an international selection of over 2,600 journals and other serial publications, plus conference papers, books, and dissertations. Use the Advanced Search for a more precise search.
Searching the Web
Simmons librarians have created a customized search engine that allows you to find Public Policy information on the free web. Use this Public Policy Google Custom Search Engine box to search all select, quality free web sites at the same time:
You may also wish to go directly to, or bookmark, the Public Policy Google Custom Search Engine
Tips for Searching the Internet:
- Use the advanced search function, which is available from most search engines:
- Google - See also "Advanced Search Tips"
- Ask - Click "Advanced." See also "Advanced Search Tips"
- Live (MSN) - See also "Options"
- Exalead - See also "Exalead FAQ"
- Yahoo! Search
- Limit your search to .edu and .gov sites. These often provide quality research, statistics, and commentary. Sites ending in .org often have good information, too, but are likely to espouse a strong stance or bias on the issues they cover and may not be objective.
- Try Scandoo, which presents search results from Google, Yahoo! Search, or Live (MSN) with an evaluation about the objectivity, credibility, and overall reliability of the site.
- Consider using a directory of pre-screened, annotated sites:
Writing Style and Citation
For more information on style and citation for this discipline, please contact the Simmons College Writing Center
You may also consider consulting these resources:
- Writing Resources
Free Online
The Writing Center provides online resources for citing your research. If you are unsure of which citation style to use, consult your professor and consider the following:- Use APA (American Psychological Association) when your topic is in the Social Sciences
- Use ASA (American Sociological Association) when your topic is in Sociology
- Use MLA (Modern Language Association) when your topic is in the Humanities
- Use Chicago/Turabian when your topic is in Literature, History or the Arts
- Use CSE (Council of Science Editors) when your topic is in the Sciences
- RefWorks
Simmons Eresource
RefWorks is a great program for organizing articles, books, and other materials you need for research. You can also use RefWorks to create bibliographies, create in text citations in your paper (Write-N-Cite), and share your research with others. Access RefWorks from the A-Z list of resources on the library's web page, and then follow the instructions to create your own username and password. We hold RefWorks Clinics throughout the semester. For more information, ask a reference librarian
