BUSINESS LIBRARY RESOURCES
FSC 410September 3, 2013
Using the Business LibraryThe Business Library has several resources for you including: Databases and books Remote access to databases 24/7 Help Line Group Study Rooms Copying/Printing
Your Course Guide
http://libguides.lib.msu.edu/fsc410
It also can be found linked on the Business Library web site.
Use library links!
Evaluating InformationCriteria for Evaluating Information Authority – Who Wrote It? Objectivity – Any possible biases? Quality – How well is it written? Coverage – Is it relevant and corroborate your
resources? Currency – Is it current? Relevance – Does it match your research needs? See Guide for more information including video:
Identifying Credible Web Sites.
Searching with a purpose Defining your topic
Not too broad or not too narrow Using Keywords
Can be the most difficult partThink of alternative words ex. instead of
Facebook use social networking. Or what about social media?
Be flexible and allow your research to direct you.
See guide for video.
Industry AnalysisThese resources will help answer the questions: What is going on the industry? What are new trends? What are the major companies in the
industry?
Industry/Category Databases Mintel GNPD Academic Mintel Oxygen Reports IBISWorld Global Market Information Database
(Passport GMID) Datamonitor 360 Freedonia Focus GBI Research
Mintel Oxygen Reports Industry overview and trends Consumer spending and buying patterns Demographic profiles Marketing and Attitudes Create account with MSU email address Connect to Mintel Oxygen Reports Examples:
Yogurt and Yogurt Drinks - US - August 2013Marketing to Millennials - US - August 2012Media Usage and Online Behavior - US - October 2011 Condiments - US - August 2012Cheese - US - June 2012
Mintel GNPD Academic Contains new product introductions in the
consumer packaged goods market worldwide Includes product and category insights and
product packaging descriptions Must be used on campus Create account with MSU email address Connect to Mintel GNPD Academic.
Company AnalysisThese resources will help answer the questions: What are other companies doing? What are the major strengths and
weaknesses of the company? What is the company's history? Who are their competitors?
Company Databases MarketLine Advantage LexisNexis Academic Mergent Online PrivCo Mergent Horizon Business Source Complete Orbis Corporate Affiliations
MarketLine Advantage Industry and company information Includes SWOT analyses Connect to MarketLine
Advantage (Formerly known as Datamonitor 360)
Example: Dole Food Company, Inc.
Consumer AnalysisThese resources will help answer the questions: Who are the target market? What are the consumer
demographics, psychographic, and behavioral factors?
Consumer Information Mintel Oxygen Reports Simply Map eMarketer Statista SRDS Passport GMID (Global Market
Information Database) Simmons OneView (formerly Choices3)
SimplyMap Great for local information! Can go from national to census block. Provides information on what people are doing -Consumer
spending, buying patterns, and activities Nice graphics. Help Guide Available 5 Users at a time Create account using MSU email address Connect to Simply Map Examples:
% FOOD - SNACK/DESSERT | ICE CREAM & SHERBET | ICE CREAM & SHERBET - BRANDS MO | BEN & JERRY'S, 2011
% FOOD - SNACK/DESSERT | ICE CREAM & SHERBET | ICE CREAM & SHERBET - TYPES MO | REGULAR ICE CREAM (NOT DIET), 2011
eMarketer Online marketing statistics Articles and reports Consumers, media usage, mobile, social
media, and more Connect to eMarketer
Statista Statistics on over 80,000 topics including
marketing and hospitality Connect to Statista
News & Articles These resources will help you find
articles in magazines, journals, and newspapers about companies and industries.
Use various keywords that are similar. For example instead of Facebook use social media.
Finding Articles about Companies, Industries, and Brands Business Source Complete ABI/INFORM Complete Factiva The Food Institute LexisNexis Academic
and more.
Citing Your Sources Make sure to cite your sources! Citation Guides:
http://www.lib.msu.edu/research/cite-resources.jsp includes guides, generators, and citation management software like EndNote and Zotero
General Citation Guides Purdue OWL includes interviews BibMe
Need more help? Contact me for research assistance.
Breezy Silver – 432-4181 or [email protected]
(when sending email include course number in subject heading)
For Access Problems Contact Distance Learning Services -
http://www.lib.msu.edu/howto/onlineoffcampus.jsp or 1-800-500-1554.