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POL 355 - Policy Formation Process / Leviss, Perri


Subjects: Political Science

US Government Documents and Data

This page provides a starting point for finding US government information. It lists resources for locating primary documents and data produced by government agencies.

 

First, a few general strategies for searching:

  • Use Google. Tip: limit the domain to .gov by adding site:.gov after your search words.
  • Use the Hein Online research database. There's a link to it below.
  • Read general or legal news stories that might offer clues to relevant agencies, reports, and data sources.
  • Go to the website of a public agency and search there. Check out this list of Federal Agencies.
  • Search the Government Printing Office (GPO) Catalog of U.S. Government Publications. See, "Search Tools and Catalogs."
  • Ask for help!

Rhode Island General Assembly

United States Government Websites - House and Senate

Congressional Resources

"A hearing is a meeting or session of a Senate, House, joint, or special committee of Congress, usually open to the public, to obtain information and opinions on proposed legislation, conduct an investigation, or evaluate/oversee the activities of a government department or the implementation of a Federal law. In addition, hearings may also be purely exploratory in nature, providing testimony and data about topics of current interest. Most congressional hearings are published two months to two years after they are held."

Congressional Research Service

U.S. Government Accountability Office

"GAO provides Congress, the heads of executive agencies, and the public with timely, fact-based, non-partisan information that can be used to improve government and save taxpayers billions of dollars.

"Our work is done at the request of congressional committees or subcommittees or is statutorily required by public laws or committee reports, per our Congressional Protocols."

Hein Online

Search Tools and Catalogs