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This subject guide identifies selected print and electronic sources available to SFU students, faculty and staff for Public Policy research.
Contact info
If you need help, please contact Nina Smart, , at , nsmart@sfu.ca (). See also Ask a librarian if Nina is not available or you have a general question.
Highlighted resources for Public Policy
CBCA Complete Canadian Business and Current Affairs
includes scholarly journal articles, trade publications, newspapers
Canada Commons Canadian health and public policy documents
Library of Parliament Research Publications
analytic publications, such as In Briefs, Background Papers, and Legislative Summaries
Services for Public Policy students
Research assistance for the Public Policy Program is centred at Belzberg Library at SFU Vancouver's Harbour Centre.
SFU Libraries provides extensive services for graduate students. Check out the SFU Library Research Commons to learn about upcoming workshops, writing services, and more.
Topic pages
- Cultural policy (CMNS 334 page) by the Contemporary Arts Librarian
- Economic Policy "epic" blog post on researching economic policy topics by the Economics Librarian
- Environmental Policy
- Health Policy
- Public Policy for Women (GSWS 350/824 page)
- Urban Housing Policy
Help with course assignments
- Introduction to Policy Issues and Analysis PLCY 800
- Public Policy Research Techniques and Methods PLCY 805
- International Public Policy PLCY 815 New! (and still under construction)
- Quantitative Methods for Policy Analysts PLCY 818
- Indigenous Policy PLCY 821
Terminology for Policy searches
Policy can be a difficult concept to search, as often the word itself is not used. Sample search string, for either Keyword or Subject searching:
(policy OR guideline OR initiative OR strateg* OR framework OR directive OR "action plan" OR guidance)
[source: U of T libraries]
Remember to use the truncation symbol, the asterisk (*), to find various endings of a particular word, and quotation marks ("") for phrase searching.
To limit your search to Canada, add geographic terms, e.g. : (Canad* OR bc OR "British Columbia")
See also: What is policy? classic 2005 report defining policy by Sherri Torjman
(hint: "There is no simple answer to this question")
New Public Policy books
- "They just need to get a job" : 15 myths on homelessness /
- Creating justice in a multiracial democracy : new will for evidence-based policies that work /
- Informality in policymaking : weaving the threads of everyday policy /
- Substance Use, Public Policy and Harm Reduction : Social and Health Studies and Interventions /