Search Think Tank Sites
There are several publicly-available search engines devoted to think tanks and other public policy organizations and the most comprehensive is the following, which searches over 700 sites:
- Think Tank SearchSearches over 700 international think tanks. From the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Classified Lists of Important Think Tanks
The following two resources appear to be comprehensive and authoritative lists of think tanks and similar groups.
- Interest GroupsFocuses on U.S. groups. Very substantial list of national groups, subdivided by issue specialties, with individual state listings also accessible. (From Project Vote Smart)
- Global Go To Think Tank Index ReportAnnual overview of thousands of think tanks around the world, including lists on important organization in particular subject areas and geographical locations. Note: No links to sites are provided. (From the Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program at the University of Pennsylvania)
Think Tanks as Research Fodder
The work of "think tanks" can provide valuable research on policy issues, but how interest-free is that work? Some nonprofit organizations are clearly advocacy groups, but others at least appear to be non-partisan. Two views:
- definitions and introduction from the Guide to Interest Groups and Lobbying in the U.S.;
- guide to "Writing about Think Tanks and Using Their Research."