Why You Need Them

Who Publishes Them

Their Formats

The Information in Them

Tracking Them Down

Printable Checklist

Why You Need Government Documents

Government documents are the publications of government agencies -- federal, state, local, or even international.

These documents are absolutely necessary for many kinds of research. They are some of the best sources for statistical information -- often they’re the only source.

Government documents do not just deal with politics and law. They report on current events, education, science, technology, sociology, medicine, and many other topics.

This tutorial will introduce you to many kinds of government documents and will give you tips on how to track them down.