INTRODUCTION to BUSINESS RESEARCH WORKSHOP
FALL SEMESTER 2007
LIBRARIAN: Bruce Barron

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Activities: In this session you will learn how to access the Library's catalog and databases, where to locate useful resources for completing assignments, gain practice in navigating selected databases, and discover where to find help for correctly citing sources.

Goals: At the conclusion of this session you will be able to:

1. Access the library's catalog from home or campus;
2. Locate helpful databases for finding company information and researching business topics;
3. Navigate selected databases as well as organize and retrieve records;
4. Find information on correct citation procedures;

Accessing Information:

The address of the Library’s web site is (http://www.fau.edu/library ). In order to access databases from home, you must use EZ Proxy. Select Off Campus Connect and enter your Owl Card number where designated.  

Journal articles can be found by choosing Index/Databases under Quick Links. Select Databases by Subject followed by Business, Industry, and Economics.

Evaluating Resources:

The World Wide Web can be useful for providing some types of information but normally research using Databases will provide better sources of information. Some sources in databases include trade journals, industry newspapers, general business magazines, Wall Street Journal, business newswires, and scholarly journals.

These sources have different degrees of reliability. Check to see if the information is current and from an authoritative source. Also examine for objectivity and accuracy.

SELECTED DATABASES

You must use EZ Proxy to access databases from off campus.

Ø   Business and Company Resource Center is an excellent resource from which to start your research and for doing a SWOT analysis. Use the upper tabs to navigate and find Company Profiles, financial data, histories, Investment Reports, and news articles.

Ø  Mergent provides past and present financial information in a convenient and flexible format which allows downloading to Excel. Use Edgar to locate 10-K and other reports. 

Ø    S&P Net Advantage is an invaluable source for finding an Industry Survey and learning how to analyze a company in a particular industry. Find comparisons of major companies in an industry using key financial data. 

Ø    Global Market Information Database (GMID) provides key business intelligence on countries, companies, markets and consumers. It is an integrated on-line information system covering over 350 markets and 207 countries. 

Ø    ABI/INFORM Complete supplies journal and newspaper articles from a vast array of publishers and trade organizations. Using Advanced Search you may choose to search by company name or find articles about industries by using NAICS codes. You may also want to refine your search by limiting it to ABI/Inform Dateline if you need information on private companies or small local ones..

Ø    SimplyMap provides mapping applications that allows users to develop interactive thematic maps and reports using thousands of demographic, business, and marketing data variables. You must create a personal workspace the first time you log-in to this database.

Ø     Marketline can be used to locate industry profiles and is especially good for researching conditions in foreign markets. Detailed reports give market value, competitive landscape, leading companies, and market forecasts.

Ø    LexisNexis Academic allows searching articles from newspapers, journals, transcripts, and newswires. Industry and Market News contains articles of specific interest to particular industries. An Accounting Literature section is available for searching topics in that field.

Ø    Additional sources for business news coverage can be found in Business Full Text. Detailed information on the business environment and market conditions in foreign countries can be found in Country Commerce and Country Watch. Another source for research on specific industries is available in Plunkett Research which also provides statistical information and links to industry specific resources.

CITING SOURCES 

Ø    A helpful site for general information on writing papers and citing sources is APA Formatting and Style Guide.

Finding Additional Assistance:

Ask-A-Librarian email reference help

Reference desk phone number: 561-297-3785

Make an appointment with a librarian: One-on-one reference consultation