SW 520 Social Welfare Policy: Policy & Advocacy Groups
Think Tank Search
Think tanks are institutions or organizations that are affiliated with universities, governments, advocacy groups, foundations, non-governmental organizations, and businesses that generate public policy research, analysis, and activity. (Harvard Kennedy School, Library & Knowledge Services)
-
Think Tank SearchThink Tank Search is a custom Google search of over 690 think tank websites.
National Research and Advocacy Groups
Research and advocacy institutes are often known as "think tanks". A think tank is an organization that conducts research and advocates in areas such as social policy. Think tank reports are another useful way to pursue research on policy issues.
Search across many think tanks/research institutes:
-
American Policy DirectoryTo use this website, please copy and paste the URL in your browser: http://library.uoregon.edu/govdocs/apd.html
Here are a few selected national think tanks/research institutes that work in areas relevant to social welfare:
- Annie E. Casey Foundation (neutral)
- Cato Institute (conservative leaning)
- Center for American Progress (liberal leaning)
- Center for Responsive Politics (neutral)
- Center for the Study of Social Policy (liberal leaning)
- Heritage Foundation (conservative leaning)
- Pew Research Center (neutral)
- RAND Corporation (neutral)
- Urban Institute (liberal leaning)
Oregon Research and Advocacy Groups
Search across Oregon policy related organizations:
Links to selected organizations, go to the Oregon Policy Directory for more:
- Oregon Center for Public Policy (liberal leaning)
- Cascade Policy Institute (conservative leaning)
- Western States Center (liberal leaning)
Need More?
If you are looking for research and advocacy organizations in other states or local areas, Google is your best bet. Just be sure to view the websites with a critical eye and determine how legitimate they are. For example, does the organization list their staff and their creditials? Do their reports have scholarly references or do they just cite themselves or popular media?