The first step for learning about a policy area and legislation is to discover and read up on background information. To begin, use the databases CQ Researcher and CQ Almanac, as well as newspapers, to read up on policy areas, and discover what about it interests you.
When you have you decided on your policy area, the next step is to find a piece of legislation from the area that you would like to study in full. Use the step-by-step guides below to locate legislation based on your policy area in Congress.gov and/or ProQuest Congressional
In-depth reports and analysis, each covering a single theme and providing solid background information, with regular reports on topics in health, international affairs, education, the environment, technology and the U.S. economy.
Use CQ Research to explore policies areas. This reports will give you a background of the topic as well as some legislation information. Click on the Browse Topics tab and choose a subject area that interests you. To search for reports on a policy area, use the search box in the top right-hand corner.
Authoritative analysis on the major legislation and actions of congress for each year from 1945 to 2012. Users can follow the history of a policy issue with the Policy Tracker tool which links reports on the same issue for almost 70 years.
Click on Policy Tracker in the left-hand menu. Choose a subject area that you are interested in. Please note: The limitation of CQ Almanac is that coverage only goes up to 2012.
Congress.gov is the official website for U.S. federal legislative information.
Once you find a policy area that you are interested in, the next step is to locate a legislative piece that address the topic. Use the guide below for step-by-step guide to locate legislation by policy area.
Abstracts and indexing for congressional publications, legislative histories, member biographies, committee assignments, voting records, and financial data; and the full text of key regulatory and statutory resources.
Use CQ Research to explore policies areas. This reports will give you a background of the topic as well as some legislation information. Click on the Browse Topics tab and choose a subject area that interests you. To search for reports on a policy area, use the search box in the top right-hand corner.
Newspapers can provide you will up-to-date information and background information on a policy area. Use newspaper to take an extra step on learning more about your policy area or legislation.
Search for the name of your policy area or legislation. For the New York Times and Wall Street Journal you can get a free subscription to all of their content but you will need to register with your WVU email.
Use the following exercises to learn more about your policy area and locate legislation that has been created.