Research Guides: Camden SWPS2, Social Welfare Policy and Services II: Policy Analysis-Think Tanks and more

SOME TERMINOLOGY

Think Tanks- "...an imprecise phrase used to describe a wide range of non-profit research organizations which engage in public policy analysis and research, and may/often advocate solutions." ( Lehman Social Sciences Library, Columbia University). Examples include Urban Institute, Brookings Institute, etc. See next definition as well.

Other Related Terms: Research Institutes, Policy Research Institutes, Foundations-organizations where staff conduct economic and social policy research that is "non-partisan," i.e., not politically affiliated. However, this does not mean the organization does not have a perspective on the issues, but it may be less directly aimed at getting a specific legislative or regulatory result. Foundations may also fund the research of others, e.g., Commonwealth Fund. And, there are research institutes affiliated with universities.

Interest Groups, Advocacy Groups-a collection of individuals who seek joint ends through political action and tend to have narrow goals focused around an issue or issue area. These can be: private groups, sponsored by corporations, private industry; non-profit or citizens groups, e.g., AARP, Children's Defense Fund; labor groups. The organizations may conduct research or use others research to support position, provide policy briefings, etc.

Bottom Line: Make sure you read the "about us" or mission statements of the organizations to understand what you are seeing! Context is important!

THINK TANKS, POLICY ORGANIZATIONS, and RESEARCH CENTERS

American Policy Directory think tanks, advocacy groups, by topic.

Annie E. Casey Foundation
The primary mission of the Foundation is to foster public policies, human-service reforms, and community supports that more effectively meet the needs of today’s vulnerable children and families.
Brookings Institution
One of the oldest think tanks in the United States, the Brookings Institution is an independent, nonpartisan organization that focuses on research and analysis of economic, foreign, and social policy issues. Among its divisions are the Metropolitan Policy Program and the Center on Children and Families.
Cato Institute
The Cato Institute is a non-profit policy research foundation that resides on the conservative/libertarian side of the political spectrum. Policy analyses, briefs and reports are available online.
Center for American Progress
"The Center for American Progress is an independent nonpartisan educational institute dedicated to improving the lives of Americans through progressive ideas and action."
Center for Family Policy and Practice
"The Center for Family Policy and Practice is a progressive nonprofit organization with expertise in child support and social welfare policies. We advocate for policies, programs, and services that respond to the needs of low-income individuals, families, and communities." A focus of CFFPP is on barriers faced by never-married, low- income fathers and their families.
Center for Law and Social Policy-CLASP
CLASP is a national, nonprofit organization that conducts research, policy analysis, and advocacy on issues related to economic security for low-income families with children. This site is a rich source of electronic publications on many issues including welfare policy, child welfare, child support and low-income fathers, couples and marriage policy, and child care and early education.
Center for the Study of Social Policy
Using data, extensive community experience and a focus on results, CSSP promotes public policies that strengthen families and protect and lift children from poverty. The Center was founded in 1979 to assist federal, state, and local governments in improving human services for low-income and other disadvantaged populations. Its mission is to effect change through the analysis of existing policies and the development of new ones.
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
A policy institute and nonpartisan research organization that analyzes a range of government programs and polices, with an emphasis on those affecting low and moderate income people. Areas of research include low-income housing, poverty and income, welfare reform/TANF, food assistance, and health policies
Commonwealth Fund
This organization promotes a health care system that achieves better access, improved quality and efficiency, particularly for low-income people, the uninsured, minority Americans, young children and elderly adults. The Fund supports research on health care issues and policy. Publications and data and statistics are available from the website.
Economic Policy Institute
"The Economic Policy Institute (EPI) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank created in 1986 to include the needs of low- and middle-income workers in economic policy discussions."
Guttmacher Institute
The Institute produces a wide range of resources on topics pertaining to sexual and reproductive health.
Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
The Kaiser Family Foundation is a non-profit, private organization focusing on the major health issues facing the nation. The website features publications and data.
Heritage Foundation
The Heritage Foundation is a conservative think tank that promotes public policies based on "…the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense."
Institute for Policy Research-Northwestern University
Research areas include children/families, communities, urban policy, and poverty/inequality.
Institute for Women's Policy Research
As its name indicates, this policy organization is devoted to issues that are relevant to women and their families. There are links to the institute's research and public policy areas such as poverty, welfare and income security, work and family, and the status of women in the states. See also the Publications link.
MDRC
This social policy research organizations focuses on low-income people. Policy areas covered include public education, children and families, workers and communities, and welfare and barriers to employment.
National Center for Children in Poverty
The mission of this nonpartisan policy organization is to "identify and promote strategies that prevent child poverty in the United States and that improve the lives of low-income children and families." Strengths of organization include its policy analysis, research, and demographic statistics. The site includes an easy-to-use data wizard for comparing states on a variety of variables.
National Institute for Early Education Research (NIERR)
Rutgers Graduate School of Education research center,. NIEER conducts academic research to inform policy supporting high-quality, early education for all young children promoting the physical, cognitive and social development needed for children to succeed in school and later life. NIEER provides independent, research-based analysis and technical assistance to policymakers, journalists, researchers, and educators.
Pew Center on the States
This site provides state-by-state information and news on innovative public policies in the states, as well as statistics. Easy access to information is through the Issues link.
Pew Research Center
"Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. We conduct public opinion polling, demographic research, content analysis and other data-driven social science research."
PolicyLab
"The mission of PolicyLab at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is to achieve optimal child health and well-being by informing program and policy changes through interdisciplinary research. PolicyLab develops evidence-based solutions for the most challenging health-related issues affecting children."
Population Council
"Throughout its history, the Council's unique role has been to conduct biomedical, social science, and public health research and disseminate evidence to shape more effective policies, programs, and technologies that improve lives around the world." A variety of publications and working papers are accessible online.
Population Reference Bureau
The Population Reference Bureau was established in 1929 and is a private, nonprofit organization that gathers, interprets and disseminates information about U.S. and international population trends and their policy implications. The "Data Finder" is great and there are numerous reports including PRB Reports on America, World Population Data Sheet, Population Bulletin.
Poverty Solutions
Poverty Solutions is a University of Michigan initiative that aims to prevent and alleviate poverty through action-based research that informs policymakers, community organizations, government entities, and practitioners about what works in confronting poverty.
RAND Corporation
RAND provides research and analysis covering many policy issues, including children, population and aging, education, health and health care.
Urban Institute
The Urban Institute conducts research that informs policy across a broad range of topics including children, health policy, housing, welfare reform, immigration, cities and metropolitan regions, the nonprofit sector, and tax policy.

Camden SWPS2, Social Welfare Policy and Services II

Interest/Advocacy Groups

FEATURED RESOURCES

SOME TERMINOLOGY

THINK TANKS, POLICY ORGANIZATIONS, and RESEARCH CENTERS