•The RAND Corporation is a research organization that develops solutions to public policy challenges to help make communities throughout the world safer and more secure, healthier and more prosperous. RAND is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and committed to the public interest. https://www.rand.org/research.html
•The Urban Institute is a Washington, D.C.–based think tank that conducts economic and social policy research to "open minds, shape decisions, and offer solutions". The institute receives funding from government contracts, foundations and private donors. https://www.urban.org/research
•GAO provides Congress, the heads of executive agencies, and the public with timely, fact-based, non-partisan information that can be used to improve government and save taxpayers billions of dollars. Our work is done at the request of congressional committees or subcommittees or is statutorily required by public laws or committee reports, per our Congressional Protocols. https://www.gao.gov/topics.
Selecting a research topic that interests you can sometimes be challenging. Here are some ideas to help you find an appropriate research topic:
1) Consider a topic from a newspaper, magazine, or journal article. Think about news reports you've seen in the media. What have you read online recently? Think of current events or "hot topics." Also, think of class readings, discussions, and lectures.
2) Think of your personal life and your own life experiences. Think of political, social, or educational activities that you or someone you know has participated in.
3) Review scholarly literature in your field of study.
4) Use these tools to help you decide on a topic: