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 This link opens in a new window
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 This link opens in a new window
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 This link opens in a new window
Full-text public policy documents from think tanks, NGOs, and research organizations.