RAND

The RAND Corporation website (rand.org) serves as the primary digital platform for one of the world's leading non-profit, nonpartisan research organizations.

History, Definition, and Goals

• Historical Background: Founded in 1948, the RAND Corporation originated from efforts post-World War II to continue the strategic analysis and research contributions made during the war, initially focusing on national security for the United States armed forces. It quickly evolved into an independent organization tackling a broader range of public policy challenges.
• Definition: RAND defines itself as a research organization dedicated to developing solutions to public policy challenges. Its core identity rests on being objective, nonpartisan, and committed to the public interest.
• Goals: The primary goal of RAND is to help improve policy and decisionmaking through rigorous research and analysis. It aims to provide policymakers and the public with objective, evidence-based insights to inform critical choices concerning security, health, education, sustainability, prosperity, and equity worldwide.

Core Functions and Website Features

The rand.org website is central to RAND's mission of disseminating its research findings. Its core functions and features include:

• Extensive Research Publications: The site provides access to a vast library of RAND publications, including reports, research briefs, journal articles, perspectives, and books covering a wide array of topics (e.g., National Security, Health Care, Education & Labor, International Affairs, Science & Technology). Many publications are available for free download.
• Expert Directory: Users can find and learn about RAND researchers and experts across various fields, understanding their areas of expertise and accessing their published work.
• Topical Navigation: Content is organized by research area, making it easier for users to find analysis relevant to specific policy domains.
• News and Commentary: The site features news releases, blog posts (commentary), multimedia content (podcasts, videos), and event information, offering timely insights and analysis on current events and policy debates.
• Search Functionality: A robust search engine allows users to query the extensive database of publications, experts, and topics.

Distinctive Offerings

A key distinctive feature associated with RAND, often highlighted on the website, is:

• Pardee RAND Graduate School: The website provides information about the Pardee RAND Graduate School, the largest public policy Ph.D. program in the United States, which is embedded within the RAND Corporation itself. This highlights RAND's commitment to training future policy analysts and leaders.
• Methodological Rigor: While not a website "feature" per se, the emphasis throughout the site is on the objective, data-driven, and methodologically sound nature of its research, which is a hallmark of the RAND brand.

Social Media Presence

RAND Corporation maintains an active presence on several social media platforms:

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/randcorporation
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RANDCorporation
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rand-corporation
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRANDCorporation

Relationships and Affiliations

• Pardee RAND Graduate School: As mentioned, RAND is directly affiliated with and houses its own graduate school, fostering a close link between research and education in public policy analysis.
• Government and Foundation Engagement: RAND collaborates with and receives funding from various U.S. and international government agencies, foundations, and private sector entities to conduct its research, though it maintains its independence and nonpartisan stance.

Conclusion

In summary, the RAND Corporation website (rand.org) is the official gateway to the research, analysis, experts, and educational initiatives of this influential non-profit organization. It serves as a critical resource for policymakers, researchers, journalists, educators, and the interested public seeking objective, high-quality, data-driven insights into complex public policy challenges across a broad spectrum of domestic and international issues. The site effectively archives and disseminates RAND's extensive body of work, reflecting its mission to improve policy and decisionmaking globally.