Research Guides: A Social Work Research Guide: Background / Opinion Subpage

Boxes on This Social Policy - Background/Opinion Subpage

Here are links to the boxes on this Social Policy - Background/Opinion subpage. The links will quickly jump the screen to the boxes of information.
Background & Opinion Resources
Background & Opinion Policy Organizations

Social Policy - Background & Opinion Resources

Green Book (Background Material and Data on Major Programs within the Jurisdiction of the Committee on Ways and Means) in Electronic Format via GovInfo
Federal. 2004 edition from the House of Representatives. Describes major welfare programs. Includes background, context, enabling legislation, and financial information. https://www.govinfo.gov/collection/green-book?path=/GPO/Background%20Material%20and%20Data%20on%20the%20Programs%20within%20the%20Jurisdiction%20of%20the%20Committee%20on%20Ways%20and%20Means%20%2528Green%20Book%2529
Green Book (Background Material and Data on Major Programs within the Jurisdiction of the Committee on Ways and Means) in Paper Format
2004. In the WUSTL libraries. https://spokane.wustl.edu:443/record=b1280909~S2
Handbook of Social Policy (Online Format)
Federal. Discusses many social programs and provides historical background and context. Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students, faculty, and staff. https://spokane.wustl.edu:443/record=b8006560~S2
Catalog - Materials in the WashU Libraries
Many library materials discuss specific programs in detail. They often include history, social context, key legislation, how the program affects society, and needed changes. https://spokane.wustl.edu/

Academic Search Complete (1975-)
Covers a broad range of topics. Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students/faculty/staff.
America: History & Life (1964-)
Historical coverage of the U.S. and Canada. Includes recent history. Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students/faculty/staff.
American Historical Periodicals
1699+. Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students, faculty, and staff.
American Periodicals (1740-1940)
Digitized images of the pages of American magazines and journals. Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students/faculty/staff
Annual Reviews (1950 - )
Review articles on a broad range of social and policy topics. Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students/faculty/staff.
Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts (ASSIA) (1987-)
Covers a broad range of social sciences. Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students/faculty/staff.
Columbia International Affairs Online (CIAO) (1991 - )
Think tank working papers, policy briefs, summaries, etc. Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students/faculty/staff.
*** EMPHASIS ON POLICY

Congressional Digest (Online Format)
Federal. Full text articles on selected legislation. Includes background, pros and cons, etc. 1922+. Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students/faculty/staff. https://spokane.wustl.edu:443/record=b7546362~S2
Congressional Research Service: Search CRS Reports *** EMPHASIS ON POLICY
From the Congressional Research Service. "This collection provides the public with access to research products produced by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) for the United States Congress." https://crsreports.congress.gov/ ***EMPHASIS ON POLICY
Congressional Research Service Reports via UNT *** EMPHASIS ON POLICY
Federal. Provides policy and legal analysis to committees and members of both the House and Senate. Part of the Legislative Branch. https://digital.library.unt.edu/explore/collections/CRSR/
*** EMPHASIS ON POLICY
Congressional Research Service Reports via ProQuest Congressional *** EMPHASIS ON POLICY
Federal. Has many full text reports. 1916+. Choose the Advanced search mode and select CRS Reports. Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students/faculty/staff.
*** EMPHASIS ON POLICY
Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports via Hein Online
Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students, faculty, and staff.
Congressional Research Service Reports via crsreports.com
Another website to try if the UNT or ProQuest websites fail to provide your needed information. https://www.crsreports.com/
Congressional Research Service Reports via everycrsreport.com
Use if other resources fail to provide your needed information. Authorship is redacted on this website. https://www.everycrsreport.com/

CQ Researcher (1991 - )
Some state level if it is of national importance. Discusses many legislative/policy issues. Includes history, major legislation, context, current situation, needed changes. Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students/faculty/staff.
*** EMPHASIS ON POLICY

CQ (Thousand Oaks, Calif. : Online)
Formerly CQ Weekly. Federal. Full text articles on selected legislation. Includes background, politics, etc. Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students/faculty/staff. Click the drop-down arrow and choose SEARCH CQ MAGAZINE. Then type in your key words. https://spokane.wustl.edu:443/record=b7548627~S2
Government Accountability Office (GAO) Reports via GAO *** EMPHASIS ON POLICY
Federal. 1971+. Reports discuss the efficiency, effectiveness, and cost-benefit of selected legislation. GAO is part of the Legislative Branch. https://www.gao.gov/search
*** EMPHASIS ON POLICY
Government Accountability Office (GAO) Reports via GovInfo *** EMPHASIS ON POLICY
1989-2008. https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/GAOREPORTS *** EMPHASIS ON POLICY
Government Accountability Office (GAO) Reports via Hein Online
Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students, faculty, and staff. ***EMPHASIS ON POLICY
Government Accountability Office (GAO) Reports in the Library Catalog *** EMPHASIS ON POLICY
Includes selected online and paper reports. MODIFY the search and then add in your keywords. SuDoc number: GA 1.13. https://spokane.wustl.edu/search/X?SEARCH=(%22ga%201.13%22)&SORT=D *** EMPHASIS ON POLICY
Government Printing Office (GPO) via Catalog Interface
Federal government publications. 1976+. Consider using the Advanced Search mode. https://catalog.gpo.gov/F?RN=96575195
Government Printing Office (GPO) via FirstSearch
Alternate interface. 1976+. Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students/faculty/staff.
Monthly Catalog of United States Government Publications in Paper Format
Catalog of government publications. Approximately 1951-2004 in paper and microform. https://spokane.wustl.edu:443/record=b1135602~S2
Additional U.S. Government Agencies Government Documents at WashU Pre-1976 in Paper Format
Many older government documents are available in paper format even though they may not appear in the WashU library catalog. Here is the guide to locating these documents. https://wayback.archive-it.org/4359/20201217164524/https://library.wustl.edu/units/westcampus/govdocs/usgovagencies/

HeinOnline
Broad variety of governmental and legal resources. Covers legislative and executive branches. Has legal journals. Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students/faculty/staff.
Index to Legal Periodicals & Books
Indexes legal journals, law reviews, yearbooks, institutes, statutes, bar association publications, university publications, and government publications.
International Bibliography of the Social Sciences (IBSS) (1951 - )
Also known as IBSS. Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students/faculty/staff.
JSTOR
Broad range of topics. Good database for older articles. Full text. Consider using the Advanced Search mode. Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students/faculty/staff.
Nexis Uni
News, legal resources. Includes: journals; television and radio broadcasts; newswires and blogs; local, regional, national and international newspapers. Legal sources for federal and state cases and statutes. Includes U.S. Supreme Court decisions. Most newspaper articles are full text. Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students/faculty/staff.

National Journal in Electronic Format
Federal. Political and legislative topics. 1994+. Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students/faculty/staff. https://spokane.wustl.edu:443/record=b7609327~S2
National Journal in Paper Format
1969-2010. https://spokane.wustl.edu:443/record=b1048876~S2
NTIS/NTRL (National Technical Information Service/National Technical Reports Library)
Over 3 million federal government publications covering over 350 subject areas related to government funded activities. 1964+. https://ntrl.ntis.gov/NTRL/

Public Affairs Information Service (PAIS) Index
Public affairs and public policy. 1914+. Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students/faculty/staff.
*** EMPHASIS ON POLICY
Social Services Abstracts (1979 - )
Covers social work and welfare, human services, policy, community development, etc. Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students/faculty/staff.
SocINDEX with Full Text
Covers a broad range of social and societal topics. Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students/faculty/staff.

Women and Social Movements in the United States, 1600-2000
Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students, faculty, and staff.

Worldwide Political Science Abstracts (1975 - )
Covers politics, policy, and legislation. Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students/faculty/staff.
*** EMPHASIS ON POLICY

USA.gov
Gateway to government information. Some state and local information. https://www.usa.gov/
Additional Database Resources at WashU
WashU provides access to hundreds of databases. Search by database name, topic, or browse the A-Z list. https://libguides.wustl.edu/az.php

African American Newspapers: The 19th Century
Newspaper. 1827-1919. Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students/faculty/staff.
Atlanta Constitution (1868-1945)
Newspaper. Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students, faculty, and staff.
Atlanta Daily World (1931-2010)
Newspaper. Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students, faculty, and staff.
Baltimore Afro-American (1893-2010)
Newspaper. Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students, faculty, and staff.
Boston Globe (1872-1989)
Newspaper. Coverage: 1872-1991. Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students, faculty, and staff.
Chicago Defender (1910-2010)
Newspaper. Covers 1909-2010. Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students/faculty/staff.
Chicago Tribune (1849-2013)
Newspaper. Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students/faculty/staff.
Early American Newspapers (1690-1922)
Newspaper. Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students/faculty/staff.
Ethnic Newswatch
Most newspapers are full text. Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students/faculty/staff.
Factiva
Covers many business and financial newspapers. Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students/faculty/staff.
HarpWeek: The Civil War Era, Reconstruction, and the Gilded Age (1857 - 1912)
Newspaper. Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students/faculty/staff.
Hartford Courant (1764-1987)
Newspaper. Covers 1764-1997. Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students, faculty, and staff.
Independent Voices
A digital collection of alternative press newspapers, magazines and journals, drawn from the special collections of participating libraries.
Los Angeles Times (1881-2015)
Newspaper. Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students, faculty, and staff.
Michigan Chronicle (1939-2010)
Newspaper. 1939-2010. Offers primary source material essential to the study of American history and African American culture, history, politics, and the arts. Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students, faculty, and staff.
Nexis Uni
Many newspapers are full text. Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students/faculty/staff.
New York Times (1851 - 3 years ago)
Newspaper. 1851+. Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students/faculty/staff.
Nineteenth Century U. S. Newspapers (1800 - 1900)
Newspapers. Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students/faculty/staff.
Philadelphia Tribune (1912-2010)
Newspaper. "The Philadelphia Tribune, the oldest continuously published black newspaper..." Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students, faculty, and staff.
Pittsburgh Courier (1911-2010)
Newspaper. "The Pittsburgh Courier was one of the most nationally circulated Black newspapers..." Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students, faculty, and staff.
Saint Louis Post-Dispatch (1874 - 2003)
Newspaper. Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students, faculty, and staff.
San Francisco Chronicle (1865 - 1922)
Newspaper. Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students, faculty, and staff.

Wall Street Journal via Factiva
Newspaper. CHOOSE Source. Click on the plus sign for The Wall Street Journal. Click on The Wall Street Journal Online. Change the Date from "in the last 3 months" to "All dates." Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students, faculty, and staff.

Wall Street Journal (1889-2012)
Newspaper. Covers 1889-2011. Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students/faculty/staff.
Washington Post (1877-2008)
Newspaper. Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students, faculty, and staff.

FactCheck.org
"...aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics. We monitor the factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. political players in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews and news releases." Search tab has a keyword box and Archives tab has an issues section. https://www.factcheck.org//
PolitiFact.com
"PolitiFact is an independent fact-checking journalism website aimed at bringing you the truth in politics. PolitiFact's reporters and editors fact-check statements from the White House, Congress, candidates, advocacy groups and more, rating claims for accuracy..." https://www.politifact.com/

Academic Video Online (AVON)
Filter your results to the Content type of Documentary. Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students, faculty, and staff.
American Film Institute (AFI) Catalog (1975 -)
1893+. Directory of American films. Choose from the Genre of documentary. Note: The film may not be available at WUSTL. Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students/faculty/staff.

C-SPAN Video Library Quick Guide
The left column, Congress section, may be useful. https://www.c-span.org/quick-guide/

Film & Television Literature Index with Full Text (1975 - )
Search using keywords and documentar* Note: The film may not be available at WUSTL. Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students/faculty/staff.
Screen Studies Collection (1893 - )
Search using a keyword and documentary. Note: The film may not be available at WUSTL. Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students/faculty/staff.

Nexis Uni Search for News Transcripts
CLICK ON CONTINUE. After page loads, Search Within Results for the keywords related to your topic. Link expires 7-21-2025. [Advanced search> News> Publication Type=news transcripts> Limit to news transcripts] Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students, faculty, and staff.
Google Advanced Search for Film Clips
Search Google with your topic's keywords and some of the following: cinema documentaries documentary film films "motion picture" "motion pictures" movie movies "streaming video" "streaming videos" videocast videocasts. https://www.google.com/advanced_search
Google Advanced Search for Radio & Television Clips
Programs on your topic may have clips, interviews, podcasts, etc. Search Google with your topic's keywords and some of the following: broadcast broadcasts interview interviews newscast newscasts podcast podcasts radio "streaming video" "streaming videos" television transcript transcripts video videocast videocasts videos webcast webcasts. https://www.google.com/advanced_search

Social Policy - Background & Opinion Policy Organizations

Many associations, institutes, interest groups, research centers, think tanks, etc. produce opinion pieces, policy briefs, working papers, etc. Many of their websites have search boxes or list the publications in a publications tab or a research tab. To find these organizations, consider the following resources.

Brookings Institution
"Brookings brings together more than 300 leading experts in government and academia from all over the world who provide the highest quality research, policy recommendations, and analysis on a full range of public policy issues." https://www.brookings.edu/
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Analysis to inform debate over budget and tax policy issues to help ensure the needs of the low-income. Federal and state level. https://www.cbpp.org/
Congressional Member and Staff Organizations
Informal member groups/organizations registered with the Committee on House Administration. https://cha.house.gov/congressional-member-and-staff-organizations

GuideStar
Information on over 1.5 million organizations. WUSTL subscribes to the Premier version which has more search features and extensive 990s compared to the free version. Off-campus access to the PREMIER version is restricted to current WUSTL students/faculty/staff.

IssueLab.org
By Candid. Social policy research from over 400 nonprofits. https://www.issuelab.org/
John F. Kennedy School of Government (Harvard University)
List of centers, institutes, think tanks, etc. with active links. From the library's research guide: Think tank search. https://guides.library.harvard.edu/hks/think_tank_search/US
JSTOR Open Research Reports (free full text)
"...from over 140 policy institutes around the world." https://about.jstor.org/oa-and-free/open-research-reports
Kaiser Family Foundation
"Kaiser is a non-profit organization focusing on national health issues, as well as the U.S. role in global health policy...We serve as a non-partisan source of facts, analysis and journalism for policymakers, the media, the health policy community and the public." https://www.kff.org/

Leadership Connect
Directory of individuals and organizations. There is a tab for nonprofits and associations. Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students, faculty, and staff.

Mathematica Policy Research
"Mathematica Policy Research is a pioneering nonpartisan research organization dedicated to improving public well-being. Our 1,200+ experts conduct policy research, data collection, and data analytics that meet the highest standards of quality and objectivity, working with decision makers across the public and private sectors."
https://www.mathematica-mpr.com/
Policy Archive
A project of Center for Governmental Studies and Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis Library. Archive of global, non-partisan public policy research... collect and disseminate summaries and full texts, videos, reports, briefs, and multimedia material of think tank, university, government, and foundation-funded policy research. https://catalog.wustl.edu:443/record=b4932597~S2

Policy Commons
Public policy reports, working papers, policy briefs, data sources, and media from IGOs, NGOs, think tanks, and research centers. The Libraries subscribe to North American Cities Reports and Global Think Tanks.

Policy File Index
From ProQuest. Information from over 350 public policy think tanks, nongovernmental organizations, research institutes, university centers, advocacy groups, and other entities. Off-campus access is restricted to current WUSTL students, faculty, and staff.
Rand Corporation
"... research organization that develops solutions to public policy challenges to help make communities throughout the world safer and more secure, healthier and more prosperous. RAND is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and committed to the public interest." https://www.rand.org/
Research Centers Directory in Paper Format
Directory of research centers in the United States. In the WUSTL libraries. https://spokane.wustl.edu:443/record=b1120204~S2
Google's Advanced Search for Title Keywords to Find Organizations
Use Google's advanced search in order to limit your keywords to the Title field. Combine your search topic with some of the following words: association, center, clearinghouse, commission, council, institute, network, research, "think tank". https://www.google.com/advanced_search
Policy Brief Examples: Clark-Fox Policy Institute
https://clarkfoxpolicyinstitute.wustl.edu/home/publications-2/policy-briefs/
Policy Brief Examples: Center for Advancing Health Services, Policy & Economics Research
Center for Advancing Health Services, Policy & Economics Research (formerly: Center for Health Economics and Policy). https://publichealth.wustl.edu/centers/cahsper/resources/policy-publications
Policy Brief Examples: Center for Public Health Systems Science
https://cphss.wustl.edu/products/research-briefs/
Policy Brief Examples: Center for Social Development
https://csd.wustl.edu/publications/pub-type/briefs/
Policy Brief Examples: Center for Violence and Injury Prevention
https://cvip.wustl.edu/home/resources/policy-briefs/
Policy Brief Examples: Harvey A. Friedman Center for Aging
https://publichealth.wustl.edu/briefs-on-aging/
Policy Brief Examples: International Center for Child Health and Development
https://ichad.wustl.edu/reports/

Website Policy Paper Search in Google
Search your topic in Google and use some of the following phrases: "policy analysis", "policy brief", "policy paper", "policy report", "position paper", "program report", "progress report", "research paper", "research report", "white paper", "working paper" https://www.google.com/advanced_search

A Social Work Research Guide

Brown School Reference Librarian

Boxes on This Social Policy - Background/Opinion Subpage

Social Policy - Background & Opinion Resources

Social Policy - Background & Opinion Policy Organizations

Subpages for the Social Policy Page