There is so much information out there it can be hard to know where to start!
It helps if you understand that information is created for different audiences and purposes.
That helps you strategize where to search for different kinds of information!
Download the handout below for a helpful chart of business information types.
Type of Information |
Examples |
Purpose/ Role |
|---|---|---|
| General News Sources (print, online, multimedia) Find in library databases and online (be sure to assess for reliability). | Wall Street Journal Forbes Puget Sound Business Journal NPR’s Marketplace | Inform the general public about current business, economic, legislative, regional and other relevant news Read for information on consumers, labor, economic trends and news, company info, relevant contexts - such as global or local news, environmental issues, economic news, and much more. |
| Trade (professional) publications Find in library databases. | Business & Industry Wastewater Management Journal of Commerce Foodservice & Hospitality | Every industry has professional literature devoted to providing updates on best practices, news impacting that field, research briefs, continuing education, profiles, opinion, etc. |
| Reference Sources Find in library databases and online. | Reference USA Business encyclopedias in GVRL | Introductory information on business topics for entrepreneurs, business owners, marketers, and researchers |
| Company, Industry and Country Reports Find in library databases | SWOT Analyses MarketLine Reports Plunkett Reports Case Studies Financial Reports | Profiles and reports with: overviews of a company or industry country economic news and trends market size and the competitive landscape, forecasts of industry trends data on market performance marketing strategies and more |
| Government Web Sites Find in library databases and online | Census data City, county or federal websites | Find city, county, and national census data on demographic broken down by gender, race, age, income, and much more. Find info on programs, regulations, services, etc. |
| Online Resources (non-profits, non-governmental agencies, and educational institutes) Find Online | World Bank Data United Nations Universities Research Groups (Gallup, Pew) Better Business Bureau | Find information on world economies, business regulations, consumer behaviors, and much more |
| Company Web Sites Find Online. Use with caution. | Marketing to the general public Information on current and upcoming products | |
| Scholarship/Research Find in library databases. Try Google Scholar & InterLibrary Loan. | Entrepreneurial Business and Economics Review American Journal of Small Business | Current research and analysis in all fields of business and marketing. Peer-reviewed scholarship meets the highest standard of impartiality and rigor and advances knowledge and practice in a field. |
