Policy Commons A-Z Database Descriptions and URLs
This article provides ready-to-use, concise descriptions for Policy Commons and its modules—ideal for adding to your library’s A-Z database lists, discovery tools, subject guides, or promotional materials.
Policy Commons (main database)
Full-text access to 19+ million policy documents from think tanks, governments, and NGOs worldwide. Search reports, white papers, and datasets on topics ranging from climate change to public health. Features content not found in other databases, including rescued materials from defunct organizations and extensive Global South coverage. Supports literature reviews, policy analysis, and interdisciplinary research.
Important Tip
In your A-Z lists, Learning Management Systems, research guides, and other locations where users discover resources, It’s important to list both the platform (the Commons) and the individual module.
For example, on the Policy Commons platform, the Public Health and Social Care module offers specialized content that focuses on healthcare policy, social services, and community health initiatives. If you list only Policy Commons, users searching for public health-specific resources may miss the Public Health and Social Care collection. By featuring both the platform and the collection (the module), you increase discoverability of subject-specific content.
For example, on the Policy Commons platform, the Public Health and Social Care module offers specialized content that focuses on healthcare policy, social services, and community health initiatives. If you list only Policy Commons, users searching for public health-specific resources may miss the Public Health and Social Care collection. By featuring both the platform and the collection (the module), you increase discoverability of subject-specific content.
Global Think Tanks
Searchable collection of reports and briefings from tens of thousands of think tanks worldwide. Covers international relations, economics, security studies, and social policy with extensive Global South representation. Preserves content from nearly 1,000 defunct organizations, ensuring access to otherwise lost research. Useful for comparative policy analysis and tracking expert recommendations across borders.
World Governments
Official government documents from thousands of national and regional governments globally. Access reports, legislation, white papers, and policy statements with focus on at-risk materials from the Global South. Relevant for political science, international relations, comparative government research, and tracking policy development across different governmental systems.
Public Health and Social Care
Health policy documents from thousands of hospitals, health agencies, and research centers worldwide. Find reports, clinical guidelines, and policy analyses on healthcare systems, public health, mental health, and social services. Includes statistical analyses and policy assessments for evidence-based healthcare research and comparative health systems study.
World Cities and Local Governments
Municipal documents from thousands of local governments featuring city budgets, urban plans, and local policy initiatives. Contains local datasets and implementation examples rarely found in academic literature. Applicable for urban studies, city planning, public administration, and research on local responses to global challenges.
2025 Open Collection
Open access repository of hundreds of thousands of rescued government documents on climate science, environmental policy, and social issues. Preserves materials that have been removed from government websites or are at risk of disappearing. Available for research on policy changes, government accountability, and historical analysis of official positions.
Oceania Policy
Specialized collection of millions of policy documents from Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Island nations. Covers Indigenous policy, climate initiatives, regional agreements, and environmental sustainability in the Pacific region. Resource for Asia-Pacific studies, environmental policy, and indigenous affairs research.
North American Urban Documents
Historical archive of more than 3 million pages of municipal materials (1971–2000) documenting urban development and local governance in more than 600 major North American cities. Digitized from the Current Urban Documents microfiche collection, it provides historical context for contemporary urban policy research and studies in city planning.
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