Library Guides: PLSC 387: Applied Skills in Political Science: Government Sources

This page provides search tips and links to social policy information created by government agencies.

Washington State Resources

Washington Dept. of Social and Health Services
Washington Data & Research
Source for data, research, and statistical analyses to inform decisions by the Governor, the legislature, other state agencies, research communities, and the public on topics such as: health care, education, demographic characteristics, criminal justice, traffic safety, and economic trends. As data custodians, we value privacy, security, and access.
Washington State Institute for Public Policy
State-funded public policy think tank and recommendations body.
Washington State Legislature: Bill Information
Access bills, digests, history, and reports.

Federal Resources

Congress.gov
The official website for U.S. federal legislative information. The site provides access to accurate, timely, and complete legislative information for Members of Congress, legislative agencies, and the public.
Congressional Research Service Reports
This collection provides the public with access to research products produced by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) for the United States Congress. By law, CRS works exclusively for Congress, providing timely, objective, and authoritative research and analysis to committees and Members of both the House and Senate, regardless of political party affiliation.
Data.gov
As the United States government's open data website, it provides access to datasets published by agencies across the federal government.
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Federal Agency responsible for the collection, analysis, and reporting of data related to education in the United States.
National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS)
Situated within the CDC, the NCHS compiles statistical data for health professionals, policy makers, and students.
U.S. Department of Education
ED's mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
This federal department oversees and supports community development, access to affordable housing programs, homelessness programs, etc.
U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services
The mission of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is to enhance the health and well-being of all Americans, by providing for effective health and human services and by fostering sound, sustained advances in the sciences underlying medicine, public health, and social services.
United States Census Bureau
The USA's leading provider of quality data about its people and economy. Site includes data, maps, and a resource library.

Evaluating Online Information

Site-Specific Searching in Google

Searching within specific web domains is a helpful strategy for locating information published by think tanks, NGOs, and government websites.

To limit Google Search results to specific websites, search the following in Google:

[Your topic/keyword] site:.gov
- Searches for your keyword on any website that ends in .gov
  - Example: homelessness site:.gov
[Your topic/keyword] site:brookings.edu
- Searches for your keyword on any page of the brookings.edu website
  - Example: homelessness site:brookings.edu
[Your topic/keyword] site:census.gov
- Searches for your keyword on any page of the census.gov website
  - Example: homelessness site:census.gov