Government science can be broadly defined as the branch of scientific inquiry that focuses on researching and solving problems related to public policy and governance. Synonyms for this term include public policy research, public administration research, political science research, and governance science. These disciplines all share a focus on understanding the political and social systems that shape policy decisions, as well as the outcomes and impacts of these decisions on society. Other related fields include public health research, environmental science research, and social and behavioral science research, all of which contribute to our understanding of the complex interplay between science and public policy.