Library Research Guides: ES/POL1 381: U.S. Environmental Politics: Find Interest Groups

Interest Groups

Tips on Identifying Interest Groups

Experts representing various interest groups often testify before Congress: Search databases from this guide for your topic, limit to Document Type: Hearings, and scan the text of the hearings for what groups are represented.
Scrutinize news coverage carefully to find quotes from a spokesperson for an interest group or lobbyist
CQ Researcher often describes proponents and opponents on an issue - research these organizations
Follow the money

Center for Responsive Politics (OpenSecrets.org)
Non-profit research group tracking money in U.S. politics and its effect on elections and public policy.

ProQuest Congressional
U.S. bills, laws, legislative histories, regulations, Congressional hearing testimony, and some executive documents. Also contains guides with information on a variety of political topics, such as immigration, affirmative action, education, Native American relations with the United States, health insurance, and more.
Dates: 1988 CE-Present
CQ Researcher
Full-text reports and analysis on political topics and policies, including education, public health, elections, human rights, immigration, the economy, and more.

Policy Commons
Policy Commons is a collection of research from the world’s leading policy experts, think tanks, IGOs and NGOs.

Policy File Index
Full-text public policy documents from think tanks, NGOs, and research organizations.