Foreign Policy
The study of how governments pursue their goals and manage relationships with other countries. It examines decisions about diplomacy, trade, security, and international cooperation.
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Overview
Foreign Policy is a field within international relations that examines how states develop and implement strategies in their interactions with other nations and international entities. It attempts to understand the decision-making behind foreign policies and the roles of international actors such as government leaders, bureaucratic organizations, and interest groups.
Literature Reviews
After selecting a topic, conducting a literature review is an essential step in the research and writing process. Writing a literature review helps you:
- Understand how scholars have approached your topic
- Identify key debates and theoretical perspectives
- Recognize gaps in the existing research
- Situate your own work within the broader academic conversation.
But what are the best resources for a literature review if you are unfamiliar with the topic? The following databases are great places to start to help you locate major publications and relevant scholarship on Foreign Policy topics.
The Annual Reviews are peer-reviewed academic journals that publish comprehensive and critical literature review articles in many academic disciplines. Each year, a new volume consisting of a series of review articles written by leading experts in the field is released, providing overviews of the most important and influential research and scholarship in various disciplines.
Although the Annual Reviews does not offer dedicated reviews for communication, education, geography, or international relations, it does include bibliographies covering a variety of topics related to each discipline.
When searching for literature reviews, don’t overlook dissertations found in ProQuest Dissertations & Theses. Doctoral students are typically required to write extensive literature reviews. Each review will examine major debates, theories, methods, and key publications related to their research topic, which can help you identify important authors, major studies, useful keywords, and gaps in the existing research.
To learn more about finding resources for a literature review, see “How to Locate Resources for a Literature Review.”
Reference & Background Resources
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Subject Databases
Searching general or multidisciplinary databases can sometimes give you too many results. To narrow your focus, try using a database dedicated to [Subject] research. The list below highlights the top databases for finding anthropology journals and articles.
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Foreign Policy Journals
Scholarly journals are essential for academic research. However, not all scholarly journals are of the same quality. While peer review is a good starting point, researchers should also consider a journal's reputation and impact within its discipline. Journal Citation Reports (JCR) is considered one of the best tools to help researchers identify leading journals within a discipline.
Journal Citation Reports (JCR) is widely regarded as the leading subscription-based resource for identifying high-quality, peer-reviewed journals and assessing the impact, influence, and quality of scholarly journals across all academic disciplines. To learn more about JCR and journal impact, go to Journal Databases.
While Journal Citation Reports (JCR) does not have a stand-alone category for foreign policy, it does have one for international relations. To view the full list of journals in international relations, go to Journal Citation Reports (JCR) and choose Categories > Social Sciences, General > International Relations. The ten most highly cited journals in the category are listed in the general International Relations guide.
Foreign Policy News
You are likely already familiar with major news media sources that provide the latest news, opinions, and analyses of foreign policy and international news. These include The New York Times – International Relations, MSNOW, NPR World
, CNN World News, The Washington Post – World, and The Wall Street Journal – World News. However, there are several news and magazine sources that scholars and academics use to stay up to date with foreign affairs and issues.
Articles in news and magazines highlight emerging research topics and trends, sparking ideas for research questions and assignments. Note that news sources and magazines are written for the general public and lack peer review.
The Economist is a weekly British international magazine that provides up-to-date news and information on global politics and the economy. Widely regarded as one of the most influential magazines in the world, it covers current affairs, politics, business, finance, science, technology, and culture.
The Economist is a weekly British international magazine that provides up-to-date news and information on global politics and the economy. Widely regarded as one of the most influential magazines in the world, it covers current affairs, politics, business, finance, science, technology, and culture.
Foreign Affairs is one of the world’s most respected journals on international relations and foreign policy. Published by the Council on Foreign Relations since 1922, it features articles written by scholars, diplomats, government officials, military leaders, journalists, and policy experts. The journal examines global politics, economics, security, diplomacy, and emerging international issues through informed analysis and commentary. Although you can read select articles for free, full access requires a subscription.
Although Foreign Affairs is not considered a scholarly (peer-reviewed) journal, it remains an important academic resource. Its articles are selected and edited by an editorial staff rather than undergoing the formal peer-review process required of scholarly publications.
Foreign Policy focuses on global affairs and international relations. Founded in 1970, it is one of the leading publications in the field. Foreign Policy covers geopolitics, diplomacy, security, economics, human rights, development, relations between countries, the decisions governments and individual leaders make, and how global forces such as war, trade, climate change, technology, and diplomacy shape everyday life. Major regions covered include Asia and the Pacific, China, the Middle East and Africa, the Americas, and Europe.
POLITICO.com is a major news organization that specializes in political journalism. It covers U.S. and international politics, policy, and government affairs, providing breaking news, analysis, and in-depth reporting. Most articles and general news on the POLITICO.com website are accessible without a subscription. POLITICO Pro is a premium, subscription-based service providing in-depth policy analysis, real-time alerts, and exclusive reports. It provides specialized coverage across multiple policy areas such as healthcare, technology, energy, and defense.
The World Politics Review is an online magazine that provides in-depth analysis on global politics, foreign policy, and international relations. It covers a wide range of topics, including conflicts, economics, diplomacy, and the impact of global political trends. World Politics Review offers articles, reports, and special features written by experts.
Research Methods
Research methods are the specific strategies, tools, and techniques researchers use to collect and analyze information to answer questions or solve problems. Research methods can be qualitative (interviews or observations), quantitative (numerical and statistical), or mixed methods (a mixture of both).
Sage Research Methods is an important resource for learning about research methods and can help you choose the methods best suited to your research question or project.
Sage Research Methods is an important resource for learning about research methods and can help you choose the methods best suited to your research question or project.
Sage Research Methods is a major subscription database that guides users in understanding research methodologies across different academic disciplines. It provides electronic access to reference books, journal articles, instructional videos, and other research methods resources.
Foreign Policy Research Methods
Most social science students are required to take at least one research methods course as part of a department’s core curriculum, which introduces the basics of how research is done in a specific discipline. The following books offer clear, in-depth explanations of research design concepts, methods, and techniques used in subject.
The icons next to each resource indicate its access requirements.
Open source/ Free
Subscription required
The U.S. Department of State has published a documentary record of American foreign policy since 1861. The Foreign Relations of the United States series lets researchers read selected government documents behind major diplomatic decisions.
Credit: U.S. State Department