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ECON 350: Public Finance

A word (or two) on "bias"

Bias and partisanship are not things to be avoided -- rather, it is the researcher's responsibility to acknowledge bias when it exists. Detecting bias is a critical skill. Here are some resources:
Handout on detecting bias in news reporting
Evaluating sources (from Colorado State University)

Some important publications and their biases (links lead to database for searching the publication):
The Wall Street Journal (editorials: conservative) [abstracts available on Lexis-Nexis; full-text on microfilm]
The New York Times (commentary: conservative and liberal) [available on Lexis-Nexis]
The Economist (international)
The Nation (political: liberal/progressive)
The New Republic (political: neo-liberal)
Mother Jones (political: progressive)
National Review (political: conservative)
American Spectator (political: conservative)
Reason (political: libertarian)
(from Columbus State University)

Think Tanks

Progressive/Liberal Non-Partisan Conservative
Center for American Progress Brennan Center for Justice Heritage Foundation
Commonwealth Institute Rand Corporation Cato Institute
Institute for Policy Studies Center for Strategic & International Studies People for the American Way
Brookings Institution Independent Institute Hoover Institution

To research legislative information and see the text of resolutions, bills, and laws: THOMAS

Blogs and transcripts of television and radio news can be found in Lexis/Nexis