Industry Analysis
Industry overviews, industry surveys, environmental scans...call them what you will. These concise reports can provide a wealth of background detail and data.
- MarketLine Industry ProfilesThis link opens in the database Business Source Complete with a search strategy that looks for MarketLine Industry in the title of the document. Add your industry keyword of interest to the second line. You will likely need to add a specific country to the third line set also to look at the title, e.g., MarketLine Induistry Profile: Steel in United States.
- First Research Industry ProfilesThis link will launch a search in the database ABI/Inform that returns the most recent quarterly updates filed. Add your industry keyword to the search box using this syntax: AND ti(keyword) so that the results narrow to reports with the keyword present in the title. If nothing is found, try alternate keywords or remove the title field limitation.
- MarketResearch.com This link opens in a new windowAccess research reports that address consumer behavior and industry/market trends in retailing, food and beverages, personal care, manufacturing, services, hospitality, healthcare and technology. Geographic coverage is predominantly the United States but there is also significant global and individual foreign country analysis best discovered by selecting the advanced search option.
- Passport This link opens in a new windowMarket research database providing statistics and analysis on companies, industries, economies, and consumers worldwide.
Access note: Some users might encounter a single sign-on (SSO) prompt in error and subsequent link to “Contact your institution." We recommend first trying a different browser or clearing cookies to see if doing so resolves the issue.
Access note: Not available to walk-in users. - SMA: Sports Market Analytics This link opens in a new windowProvides searchable news and market research from the National Sporting Goods Association and other industry sources on all aspects of sporting goods, sports equipment, participation, demographics, fan profiles, sports finance, sponsorship, broadcasting, media, and marketing.
Research Tip #1
Need an SIC or NAICS code in order to search for industry analysis? Instead of trying to look it up, do a company search for a company that, in your mind, represents that industry. For example, in order to determine the SIC code for coffee, do a company search for Starbucks. A company profile will typically include the relevant industry codes and links to corresponding industry reports. It's always good to note such industry codes as you encounter them--you'll have them when you need them!
Research Tip #2:
Trade and professional association Websites are also valuable sources of market research and statistics. Do an advanced Google search combining industry keywords and "association" limited to the .org domain. Yes, some associations require a membership to access content, but many others provide free access. Look for anything labeled "research" or "media kit", for example.
IT and e-Commerce
IT is pervasive in the business world. Consult these databases if you are looking to research a tech company, a particular IT application or concept.
- MarketResearch.com This link opens in a new windowContains hundreds of reports on technology and media.
- Pew Research Center: Internet, Science and TechnologyResults of studies on the impact of the internet on children, families, communities, the work place, schools, health care and civic/political life. A non-partisan, non-profit group, they provide full-text reports and access to datasets.