Research and Course Guides: POLS 104: Government and Politics: Nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations

Evaluating web sites

Who is responsible for the content? Always check out "About Us."

Are biases clearly stated? Nonpartisan = neutral, free from party affiliation and bias. Consider doing a search on the organization to see what others say about it. Nonprofit does not necessarily mean nonpartisan!

Is there a hidden agenda?

Is it really research? or commentary? Is it reporting? or editorial? Are there sources/evidence for claims made?

What kind of domain is it?

.edu=educational institution
.com=commercial/business
.org=non-profit organization
.gov=governmental agencies

Nonprofits and Nongovernmental organizations

Bipartisan Policy Center
"As the only Washington, DC-based think tank that actively promotes bipartisanship, BPC works to address the key challenges facing the nation. Our policy solutions are the product of informed deliberations by former elected and appointed officials, business and labor leaders, and academics and advocates who represent both ends of the political spectrum."
Brennan Center for Justice
"The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that works to reform, revitalize – and when necessary, defend – our country's systems of democracy and justice."
Brookings Institution
The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, DC. Our mission is to conduct in-depth research that leads to new ideas for solving problems facing a society at the local, national and global level. Brookings is sometimes characterized as "left leaning."
Cato Institute
"The Cato Institute is a public policy research organization — a think tank – dedicated to the principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets and peace. Its scholars and analysts conduct independent, nonpartisan research on a wide range of policy issues."
Center for American Progress
"The Center for American Progress is an independent nonpartisan policy institute that is dedicated to improving the lives of all Americans, through bold, progressive ideas, as well as strong leadership and concerted action. Our aim is not just to change the conversation, but to change the country."
Center for Public Integrity
The Center for Public Integrity is an investigative news organization that gives voice to the public and sparks change by going behind closed doors to reveal abuses of power in Washington. Two time winner of the Pulitzer Prize.
Think Tank Search from the Kennedy School at Harvard
Think Tank Search is a custom Google search of more than 590 think tanks and research centers.
Rand Corporation Research
The Rand Corporation conducts high quality and objective research on a large list of international topics

Government sources

Bureau of Economic Analysis
"The BEA promotes a better understanding of the U.S. economy by providing the most timely, relevant, and accurate economic accounts data in an objective and cost-effective manner." The BEA produces the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) estimates, one of the most influential measures of the American economy.
Bureau of Labor Statistics
"The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor is the principal Federal agency responsible for measuring labor market activity, working conditions, and price changes in the economy. Its mission is to collect, analyze, and disseminate essential economic information to support public and private decision-making."
Congress.gov
Congress.gov is the official source for federal legislative information.
U.S. Department of Education
"The U.S. Department of Education's mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access." See "Data."
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
"It is the mission of HHS to enhance and protect the health and well-being of all Americans, by providing for effective health and human services and fostering advances in medicine, public health, and social services." See the A-Z list for information on particular issues and topics.
U.S. Social Security Administration
See "Research, Policy and Planning" under "Our Agency" for guides to SSA research and studies.
United States Census Bureau
"The Census Bureau's mission is to serve as the leading source of quality data about the nation's people and economy." Check out "Topics", "Library" and "Data" to dig into Census data in subject areas.