Library Resources
- Scholarly Journals, Trade Publications, and Popular Magazines (ProQuest)
A discussion of these commonly used types of resources in business research. - See also the Guide: Company/Industry Information.
Databases
- Business Source Premier This link opens in a new window
- Use Academic Search Premier and click on Choose Databases (above the search boxes) to search Business Source Premier along with other Ebsco Databases.
- Business Market Research Collection This link opens in a new windowSearches includes industry and company reports including:
- Hoover's Company Records
Use the advanced search to search by NAICS to find companies in a specific industry. - First Research Industry Profiles
- Hoover's Company Records
- Mergent Online This link opens in a new window
- Morningstar Investment Research Center This link opens in a new window
- Wall Street Journal This link opens in a new window
- New York Times - Academic Pass This link opens in a new windowUse the TimesMachine site to explore over 150 years of Times journalism, as it originally appeared.
- Boston Globe (1980 - present) This link opens in a new windowBrowse by issue [Content is updated daily by 8 a.m.]:
- Bloomberg News
- Also explore the Bloomberg web site.
Trade Journals on Marketing
- Advertising AgeSee also the Datacenter
Note: Some content available free.
Additional Resources
- Business Resources available through the Boston Public LibraryNote: Apply for a BPL eCard to access the library’s remotely-accessible electronic resources.
- Explore the Business Guide for additional resources including Mergent Intellect, LinkedIn Learning, Wall Street Journal, and many more.
- A-Z List of Electronic Resources (most available with an eCard remotely).
See also the Guide: Company/Industry Information.
Industry Information
There are two major systems used to classify the industries of a company, the U.S. Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system and North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). These are useful for identifying companies within a given industry and for researching specific industries.
For further information, see Standard Industry Classification (SIC) System, U.S. Department of Labor and North American Industry Classification System, U.S. Census Bureau.
For further information, see Standard Industry Classification (SIC) System, U.S. Department of Labor and North American Industry Classification System, U.S. Census Bureau.
Databases
- Business Source Premier This link opens in a new window
- Example search: restaurant and industry and (trends or outlook or forecast)
- The search results may be limited by Source Types > Industry Profiles.
- Business Market Research Collection This link opens in a new windowSearches includes industry and company reports including:
- Hoover's Company Records
Use the advanced search to search by NAICS to find companies in a specific industry. - First Research Industry Profiles
- Hoover's Company Records
- Mergent Online This link opens in a new windowSearch by Primary SIC or NAICS code in the Classification search option. There is also a code lookup option. Public companies that meet the industry classification will be listed.
- Morningstar Investment Research Center This link opens in a new windowEnter the Company Ticker or Name in search box and select your company from the drop down menu. Under the Quote tab, which is the default, Competitors is located on the right side of the page. Additionally, you my select Industry Peers in the menu bar directly under the Quote tab.
- Business Source Premier This link opens in a new window
- Click on Company Profiles and search by your company's name to access the MarketLine report. This report includes: a company history, SWOT analysis, and major products and services.
- Search for articles on your company by searching by the company Ticker Symbol and selecting TK Ticker Symbol from the field options.
Note: To find the Market Share of a company, include keyword term, "market share" or ranking along with the industry descriptors; "company name" or ticker; or other features to be compared when searching for articles.
- Business Market Research Collection This link opens in a new windowSearches includes industry and company reports including:
- Hoover's Company Records
Use the advanced search to search by NAICS to find companies in a specific industry. - First Research Industry Profiles
- Hoover's Company Records
- Mergent Online This link opens in a new window Mergent Online by FTSE Russell is a database of fundamental company information giving a detailed picture of over 10,000 U.S. public companies. Now includes Bond Viewer - access bond data using the tab at the top of the page. ("How do I use Mergent Online to create company comparison reports?")
- Morningstar Investment Research Center This link opens in a new windowEnter the Company Ticker or Name in search box and hit enter. Under your company's name, there will be a "Quote" tab. On this tab, scroll down until you see "Competitors" located on the right side of the page. Or, you may select Industry Peers in the menu bar directly under the Quote tab.
Competitors
Identifying Competitors
- Identify key companies discussed in your research of the industry.
- Conduct searches in the databases for your industry code.
Web Sites to Identify Local Competitors
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
Databases
Search Tip: Try a search for your company and "corporate social responsibility" or csr or sustainability
- Business Source Premier This link opens in a new window
- ProQuest Central This link opens in a new window
Web Sites: CSR
- Corporate RegisterSign up for a free account for access to CSR and sustainability reports
- CSR HubLimited free access to corporate social responsibility information, and sustainability ratings
Consumer Research
Article Databases
Sample searches:
- (Customer or Consumer) and pizza
- "public opinion" and pizza
- Business Source Premier This link opens in a new windowFull text and indexing of scholarly business journals covering management, economics, finance, accounting, international business and related topics.
- Use Academic Search Premier and click on Choose Databases (above the search boxes) to search Business Source Premier along with other Ebsco Databases.
- ProQuest Central This link opens in a new window A multidisciplinary resource providing the largest aggregated full-text database in the market today totaling more than12,665 titles - with over 9,745 titles in full text. Covers more than 160 subject areas, including business and economics, health and medical, news and world affairs, technology, social sciences and more. Provides over 400 full-text U.S., Canadian and international newspapers; nearly 30,000 full-text dissertations in the areas of business, psychology, physical sciences, health, education; and nearly 9,000 market reports for business information for 43 industries in 40 countries.
Selected Journal Titles
Web Sites: Demographics
- Explore Census DataUnited States Census Bureau.
- County Business Patterns, US Census BureauSelect Data from the tab options in the middle of the page.
Web Sites: Consumer Behavior
- Consumer Expenditure SurveyExplore the CE Publications.
Web Sites: Public Opinion
- Pew Research CenterThe Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan "fact tank" that provides information on the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. It does not take positions on policy issues. Click on Datasets link to find statistical reports arranged by broad research areas and to download data sets. Select Topics link to search by subject or among polling questions.
- The Roper Center for Public Opinion ResearchCornell University
- Research Guide: Public Opinion Polls, University of Pennsylvania
Note: Not all content is open access.
APA Citations Resources
See Citing Sources Using the APA Style of Citations (video tutorial)
- Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association byCall Number: Ref. Desk BF 76.7 .P83 2020ISBN: 9781433832154Publication Date: 2019-10-01
- American Psychological Association (APA): APA Style
- Style and Grammar Guidelines
- Reference Examples - Includes Journal Articles, Magazine Articles, Newspaper Articles, Books, Chapter in an Edited Books, and Web Sites.
- In-Text Citations - Includes Author-Date Citation System, Appropriate Level of Citation, and Citing Secondary Sources.
- Instructional Aids - Includes Handouts and Guides and Sample Papers.
- Style and Grammar Guidelines
- Citing Online Business Resources using APA Style (7th Edition)Bentley University Library
Examples include:
Citation Generators
Note: You are still responsible for your citations even when using a citation generator. Always verify your citations with APA Style (References and In Text Citations).
Citation Managers
Note: You are still responsible for your citations even when using a citation generator. Always verify your citations with APA Style (References and In Text Citations).
- RefWorks This link opens in a new window
- Register from any computer by going to https://refworks.proquest.com and clicking on Create Account
- See also FAQ Collection: RefWorks and Video Tutorials.
- Register from any computer by going to https://refworks.proquest.com and clicking on Create Account
- Zotero"Zotero is a free, easy-to-use tool to help you collect, organize, annotate, cite, and share research."
- See also - How to Download and Use Zotero
Need help?
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Marketing Plans
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- Free Sample Business Plans (Bplans)Explore the marketing sections of the sample business plans.