The policy and research institutes included below are excellent places for finding well-researched information, often written by scholars but presented in accessible language. Complex ideas are distilled into understandable concepts without losing academic rigor. These are perfect resources for undergrads! Be aware that some policy institutes espouse certain biases. A quick search on Wikipedia will allow you to sort out where each stands on the issues.
Be sure to check out Find Policy, introduced in the box to the left. It allows you to search simultaneously multiple research and policy institutes.
Policy and Research Groups
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Brennan Center for JusticeThe Brennan Center works to build an America that is democratic, just, and free. Here’s how you can help.
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Pew Research Center This link opens in a new window
A nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. They conduct public opinion polling, demographic research, content analysis and other data-driven social science research.
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Brookings Institution This link opens in a new window
The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to conduct and present in-depth, nonpartisan research to improve policy and governance at local, national, and global levels.
Public Opinion Data
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Roper iPOLL This link opens in a new window
Provided by the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research at Cornell University, Roper iPoll is the largest collection of public opinion poll data with results from 1935 to the present. Roper iPoll contains nearly 800,000 questions and over 23,000 datasets from both U.S. and international polling firms. Surveys cover any number of topics including, social issues, politics, pop culture, international affairs, science, the environment, and much more. When available, results charts, demographic crosstabs and full datasets are provided for immediate download.