On the PolicyOptions Wiki, you will now find a longer set of guidelines and help for carrying out the public policy research process and creating an issue brief.  Below is an outline for that to get you started with research.

VISIT THE LIVE PAGE WITH LINKS NOW:  Guide to Researching and Writing Issue Briefs

Research Guide Part 1 - Identifying a Research Topic

1. Overview
2. Start with a Basic Understanding of CBR
3. Working with Partners or Working With Broad Interests
4. Case Study > UC Berkeley
5. Negotiating the Process
6. Characteristics of Effective Research Topics
7. Mechanics for Making This Work

Part 2 — Developing a Goal Statement

1. Overview
2. Elements in the process
3. Characteristics of effective goal statements
4. Sample goal statements
5. Characteristics of less effective goal statements
6. Using problem vs. goal statements 

Part 3 — Strategies for research

1. Overview
2. Who to consult
   1. Community Partners & Experts
   2. Professors & academic departments
   3. City and local government
3. Sources of information:
   1. Internet
   2. Telephone calls
   3. Emails
   4. Interviews (phone or in person)
   5. Newspapers
   6. Government offices
   7. Library
   8. Think tanks and policy research groups
   9. National non-profit organizations
4. Recommended educational sources: articles and books

Part 4 — Past policy and programs

1. Past policy overview and components
2. Key milestones
3. Legislative history
4. Funding history
5. Evaluation history  

Part 5 — Current Policy and Policy Options (or Program Models) 

1. Methodology & analytical frameworks
2. Outlining distinctly different solutions
3. Sources for solutions
4. Indexing glossary terms and sources
5. Developing the solutions
6. Analyzing the solutions

Part 6 — Putting It All Together: A Policy Brief Sample 

1. Goal Statement
2. Scope of the Problem/Issue
3. Past Policy
4. Current Policy
5. Proposed Solutions
6. Glossary
7. Key Individuals/Organizations
8. Resources 

Part 7 — Presenting the work

1. Documenting the Issue Brief and Using the Wiki
2. Meetings with the Community Partner
3. Common Products for the Partner
4. Public Forums
5. Citations and Bibliographies
6. Finishing or Following Up