The Institute's case studies utilize the rich resources of local archival collections to provide an in-depth historical analysis of key individuals, pivotal events, and important public policies, whereas cases in point offer a snapshot in time of a particular event that had a direct impact on policy in the region. A full listing of the Institute's case studies and cases in point can be found below:
- Talia Hullum and Briana Mihok, Integration of Human Services among Counties in Southwestern Pennsylvania: Five Case Studies (University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics, 2013)
- Moe Coleman and Bruce Barron, Finding Common Ground: Morton Coleman: My Life as a Mediator in Neighborhoods, Communities, Government and Politics (University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics, 2013)
- Kathy McCauley, Moe Coleman, and Bruce Barron, A Master Legislator at Work: H. John Heinz III and the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging (University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics, 2013)
- Kathy McCauley, Never a Spectator: The Political Life of Elsie Hillman (University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics, 2012)
- PVAAS and Data Management Case Studies (University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics, 2009)
- Kathy McCauley, Bruce Barron, and Moe Coleman, Crossing the Aisle to Cleaner Air: How the Bipartisan "Project 88" Transformed Environmental Policy (University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics, 2008)
- Jenny Wolsk Bain, Pink Slip: Southwestern Pennsylvania's Response to Workforce Reductions at US Airways, 2001-05 (University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics, 2006)
- Hurricane Katrina: A Community's Response to a National Disaster (University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics, 2006)
- Pamela Tokar-Ickes, Flight 93: Policy Considerations for Emergency Preparedness in Pennsylvania (University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics, 2005)
- Louise Comfort and Carrier Miller, Decision-Making Under Uncertainty: The Three Mile Island Nuclear Accident from Multiple Perspectives (University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics, 2004)
- Louise Comfort and Carrier Miller, Safety vs. Technology in High Risk Environments: Trade-offs in Public Policy Decision-Making (University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics, 2004)
- Louise Comfort and Carrier Miller, Intergovernmental Communication and Cooperation: Networks vs. Hierarchy in Dynamic Environments (University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics, 2004)
- Louise Comfort and Carrier Miller, The Media's Role in High Risk Conditions: Community "Right to Know" vs. Public Information Management (University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics, 2004)
- Louise Comfort and Carrier Miller, The Three Mile Island Nuclear Accident: Continuing Policy Issues, Dilemmas, and Strategies (University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics, 2003)