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Social Welfare Policy and Services I (19:910:504)

A research guide for SWPS1 assignments

Government Publications for Policy Analysis

Government agencies put out reports that analyze various laws, policies, and programs. These can be very useful in understanding how a policy has impacted citizens. This page includes info on CRS reports, which need to be used in your mini policy analysis paper. 

Congressional Research Service Reports

In response to requests from Congress, the Congressional Research Service  issues publications that include background studies, pro/con arguments, policy/legislative analysis and legislative histories on subjects of interest to Congress.

Formatting CRS Reports

Reference with Author:

Sacco, L. (2015, May 26).  Violence Against Women Act: Overview, legislation, and federal funding (CRS Report No. R42499).  https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R42499.pdf

In-text with Author:

(Sacco, 2015) or

Sacco (2015) stated that...

Reference without Author:

Congressional Research Service. (2015, May 26). Violence Against Women Act: Overview, legislation, and federal funding (CRS Report No. R42499).   https://www.everycrsreport.com/reports/R42499.html

In-text without Author:

(Congressional Research Service, 2015) or

Congressional Research Service (2015) stated that....

TIP: Using Government Hearings

HELPFUL TIP: Try searching for Congressional Hearings post-enactment of your public law.  These hearings, sometimes called "oversight" hearings provide Congress with information regarding implementation, problems and solutions. Use  Congressional Publications:  Select only Hearings from the facets on the left and enter the title of your law or keywords in the search box; adjust the dates covered range as well.  Search example:  (oversight or implementation) AND "energy policy act of 2005"

Government Analysis/ Research Reports

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