Here are the types of business information resources you might use in your research:
- Trade Literature and Associations: magazines and journals made for a specific industry or type of trade make up what is generally known as trade literature. Use trade literature to find up-to-date news on different companies and industries, and overviews of different trends within industries (in marketing, supply operations, etc.). This type of resource includes case studies, as well. Trade associations are the groups which often publish trade literature and similar information on particular industries.
- Company Reports: company reports give overviews of public (and occasionally of private) companies, with information on key people, financials, and news, with additional information on trends, forecasting, and top competitors.
- Industry Reports or Market Reports and Industry Data: industry and market reports and data give overviews of particular industries, with information on industry-specific vocabulary, the top companies in each field, the supply chain and all related industries, the industry outlook, and key statistics.
- Consumer Data and Demographic Information: consumer data and demographic information usually take the form of reports, data tables, and infographics based on surveys and studies. You can use this type of data to get more insight into consumer satisfaction and frustration, and to help determine whether or not a new type of product or service has a potential market, among other things.
- Business Theories and Concepts: information on business and management theories and concepts can generally be found in scholarly journals, books, and searchable eBooks (including encyclopedias).
- Step-by-Step Guides: Countless books and eBooks have been published that focus on the practicalities of working in a business environment. Use these resources to find detailed advice on starting a business plan, managing projects, and more.
