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ZSR Library

Public Policy Research: Home

This guide is for students researching current issues, hot topics or public policies.

Welcome

This research guide is designed for students doing research on policy issues. If you run into any obstacles, don't hesitate to book a research session~ Rosalind Tedford

Policy Analysis and Web Sources

Policy analysis organizations will differ depending on your topic, but here are some places to start.

Data and Statistics

US Data

International Data

Video Resources

Getting Started with Background Sources

Before getting started with policy research, it is a good idea to start with some background and context to the issues you are investigating. The sources below will help you get to that information quickly.

Finding Books

Use our main library search interface Primo to locate books and other materials in Reynolds Library.  When you search from the ZSR Library homepage, you will be taken to a search screen where books are in the center box on the top row. You can see all books from the search by clicking the total number of results in the top of the box, or the More Books link at the bottom. To find books on US Policy Issues, search on the policy and "United States":

  • "Gun Control" "United States"
  • Economic Regulation United States
  • Racial Profiling United States
  • "Same Sex Marriage" 'United States"
  • Legalization marijuana United States

Scholarly Journal Databases in Political Science (and related disciplines)

The databases below are the ones most frequently used by students doing political science research. The list starts with the politics-specific databases but also lists the many databases we have in related disciplines that often contain relevant sources. Politics is a very interdisciplinary thing, so looking at other databases is often very useful! 

Databases for General International Politics and Government 

Databases for International Military and Security Issues

Databases for International Policy and Issues 

Roz Tedford: Politics and Int'l Affairs Liaison

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Rosalind Tedford
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Contact:
ZSR Library
Room 457A
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