Skip to Main Content

GOVT 315 Government & Criminal Justice Research Methods

GoogleGov

See the reports tab on the results page for especially good analysis:

CRS Reports: Congressional Research Service
Major research arm for Congress.  They provide policy, legislative, and legal analysis to congress regardless of party affiliation.  Exceptional analysis, very authoritative, and non-biased.

GAO Reports: Government Accountability Office
Known as the "congressional watchdog". Investigates the effectiveness of government programs to identify policy problems and needed changes.

CBO Reports: Congressional Budget Office
Provides Congress with biannual forecasts of the economy and how much government programs will cost. Analyze public policies especially with respect to money issues.

Think Tank Search (Harvard U.)

 

"Think tanks" are organizations that research and generate ideas about public policy.  They publish their research--and their opinions--to inform and to shape public debate and influence lawmakers.

Although think tanks can have legitimate sounding names, it is important to evaluate any you are not familiar with to determine any political bias or conflicts of interests. 

Jstor Research Reports (Open Content)

Open Research Reports from Jstor

  • Fewer organizations but higher quality
  • Worldwide coverage
  • What's in it

 

                       

Steps to click on in Jstor to search open access research report

Detailed Articles

Use OneSearch to find articles and reports about your issue. Look for the issue, not necessarily the legislation.

Tips

  • Add the term texas to your search to focus (optional).
screenshot of OneSearch with Texas added as a term