This guide provides a list of resources used for business research. You can find different types of information sources on the blue list of links to the left, each of which provides links to those sources through library subscription databases and websites. Gather information from a variety of information sources and then synthesize the information to gain a complete view of the topic you are researching. Connect to resources with your TU AccessNet ID and password.
Fox Center for Student Professional Development
The CSPD has a class in Canvas. You must enroll in the class to gain access to the content. To access additional research databases, click on the "Modules" icon and go to the module on "Company & Industry Research." Databases include: Hoovers, First Research, Uniworld, and Vault. Contact the Center for Student Professional Development for more information and if you have any questions.
REPORTS
An industry report or analyst report will analyze, in great detail, key market indicators, such as: market composition, projected market growth, top companies and brands, competitive situation, consumers and much more. Examples include: Industry Reports, Company Reports, Emerging Markets, and Global Retail Reports. If an industry report is not available, look for a report on a leading company in the industry.
A conference proceeding is any publication containing papers presented at a formal meeting of professionals, issued in conjunction with that meeting as its official expression in publication form. A conference article is any paper presented at a conference, whether published in conference proceedings or elsewhere.
ARTICLES
Popular magazines that aim to serve the broad public sometimes include articles about business and industries.
Business magazines and financial newspapers specialize in only business news, which include both stories and statistics like key indicators and stock market prices.
Trade journals are like business periodicals but are more in-depth, and are written about a particular field or industry, by and largely for professionals in it. Most offer not only news stories and statistics, but industry reports as well.
Scholarly and professional journals are even more serious in addressing an industry than popular business publications or trade journals. They're written and checked by experts and address major questions in a methodical and scientific way. They may include statistics, but only to support their individual inquiries-- not on a regular basis.
BUSINESS CASE STUDIES
The case study method is when a real or fictitious business or organizational problem is presented to allow for intensive investigation of the relevant issues and explore potential solutions. It is intended to develop problem-solving skills. Many fields use the case study method and therefore different types of case studies can be found.
NOTE: Due to licensing restrictions, Temple University Libraries DO NOT have access to the Harvard Business School, Case Studies subscription service.
GOVERNMENT & NGO SOURCES
Large amounts of information useful to those studying particular industries are produced by and for government organizations and are distributed by them. This data are particularly useful for marketing research, gathering economic indicators, locating new laws that may impact industries, etc.
NGOs vary a great deal, but collect and offer data on many issues having potential relevance to industries, including economic, trade, technological, political and cultural issues.
Professional associations and organizations can also provide information on an industry.
FINANCIAL RATIOS & STATISTICAL INFORMATION
Many financial ratios, such as the price-to-earnings ratio, the debt-to-equity ratio and the gross and net margins are invaluable in surveying the state of a particular industry.
