Research Guides: POEC 402: Public Policy Issues: Think Tanks

What are Think Tanks?

A think tank is "an organization, institute, corporation, or group that conducts research and engages in advocacy in public policy." (Sourcewatch.org)

When using information from a think tank:

Consider the biases that think tanks may be bringing to the discussion.
Learn about the think tank by looking at the major contributors and the staff.
Use evaluative sites to better understand the point of view the think tank may have.
Ideally, contrast policy statements from two think tanks with vastly different perspectives on the issue.

Some Influential and Well-Known Think Tanks

The Economic Policy Institute
A resource that students in Economics should know about. It contains publications written by notable economists.
Center for Budget and Policy Priorities
Provides a progressive view on public policy. According to their website, CBPP "is one of the nation's premier policy organizations working at the federal and state levels on fiscal policy and public programs that affect low- and moderate-income families and individuals." Their site provides online access to position papers, factsheets, and more in-depth policy analyses.
Brookings Institution
One of the best known progressive institutes. Brookings publishes working papers and books that analyze public policy. For publications not available online, search the library catalog.
American Enterprise Institute
According to their website, AEI "is dedicated to preserving and strengthening the foundations of freedom--limited government, private enterprise, vital cultural and political institutions, and a strong foreign policy and national defense--through scholarly research, open debate, and publications."
Cato Institute
Provides a libertarian perspective. See "Research Areas" to learn about the topics they study and "Publications" for policy papers, reports, the Cato Journal, and more.

Think Tank and NGO Research Repositories

PolicyArchive
Open digital library of public policy research.
Issue Lab
Open digital library of reports, whitepapers, evaluations, case studies, issue briefs, and more

Think Tank Search

Think Tank Search is a custom Google search of more than 450 think tank websites selected by The Harvard Kennedy School of Government Library. See their website for information on the inclusion policy and links to U.S. and international think tank websites.

Evaluating Think Tanks

Sourcewatch
Maintained by the Center for Media and Democracy. A good place to find additional information about a think tank.
Wikipedia List of U.S. Think Tanks
Use to get an overview of the issues that a think tank is discussing and what social, policy or political biases that it brings to the discussion. Be sure to view the history page to determine if there are disputes about the information on the page.
OpenSecrets.org's Donor Look Up
Find the names of the think tank's board of directors on its website and then follow the money with this donor database. See also U.S. News & World Report's 2011 analysis of contributions of think tank employees