Library Databases

Published: September 12, 2022
Updated: September 12, 2022

Library Databases

The Expensive World Of Business Information

Believe it or not, you cannot find everything on Google! Have you ever done an online search and found the perfect industry report only to find that it costs over $5,000? Did you know that libraries pay for many expensive databases that could be helpful in your secondary market research? 

Search engines like Google can only provide direct access to freely available information. Most of the web, including business information, lives in databases behind expensive paywalls. This paywall-protected section of the Internet is known as the deep web. Fortunately, some libraries pay to subscribe to databases so they can provide free access to their patrons — and many business databases can contain useful information such as articles, market research, and company reports.

There are several strategies you can use to access relevant business information on the deep web. First, we urge you to look up what business resources your local public or academic library can provide access to. Each database has its own arrangement, with unique interfaces and search features. It helps to know the structure and search terms of the specific database you are working with in order to retrieve effective results. 

Also, it is important to know that library databases are restricted by specific usage agreements. It can help to consult with a librarian if you have trouble navigating a specific database. They may also be able to help you find comparable information elsewhere. Libraries with robust business collections might have useful e-books, directories and trade journals. As you conduct your secondary market research you will likely need to consult both free and deep web resources.

For more information about how and why to use business databases, check out our video tutorial, Module Four: Conducting Your Industry Research.


 

UBC Library Business Databases

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you may have access to business databases through the David Lam Management Research Library and Canaccord Learning Commons through the links below.

Full Listing By Title or Full Listing By Subject

There are two different ways to identify databases: Use "by title" if you already know the name; otherwise you can search the list "by subject" to find starting places for undertaking market research, finding articles or researching companies. To learn more about how you can access library resources if you are a community user or temporary visitor, check out the UBC Library Community Users & Visitors Guide. Community users and temporary visitors may have additional access restrictions to specific databases because of license agreements.

 

Provincial Library Database Partners

How to access: Check out the database list and note the License Participants to find out which institutions have access. Otherwise, contact your local post-secondary library to see what they offer.

BC Electronic Library Network (ELN) Research Databases

ELN licenses databases with partner academic libraries. These include LexisNexis, Canadian Newsstream, Hoovers, CBCA Business, ABI/INFORM Complete and others that may be of interest to business researchers.

 

ABI/INFORM Collection

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

Created by ProQuest this database contains full-text articles from over 1,000 business magazines and journals that track business conditions, trends, management techniques, corporate strategies, and industry-specific topics.

  • (2022, Jun 21). Global electric bikes market generated around USD 45 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow with a CAGR of ~8% during 2022–2030; market to grow on account of growing awareness regarding flexible and eco-friendly mode of transportation. NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
  • (2022, Jun 21). E-bike market - 55% of growth to originate from Europe|Driven by rising popularity of connected E-bikes| 17000+ Technavio Reports. PR Newswire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
  • (2022, May 27). Bicycle market size to grow by USD 20.70 bn at a CAGR of 6.75%| software segment is expected to witness lucrative growth | technavio. PR Newswire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
  • (2022, Jun 16). Global cargo bike market size to hit USD 3.8 billion by 2030 | increasing investments in product innovations in the electric cargo bike to bolster growth: The brainy insights: The rising awareness about the benefits of cargo bikes will contribute significantly to their growing adoption and drive the growth of the global cargo bike market. NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection. 
  • Global electric bikes market to reach $34.7 billion by 2026: Abstract: What`s new for 2022? -global competitiveness and key competitor percentage market shares. -market presence across multiple geographies - Strong/Active/Niche/Trivial. (2022, Jun 14). NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database.
  • Bushey, C. (2021). The e-bike that encapsulates the global supply chain crisis. FT.Com, Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection. 
  • Costelloe, K. (2022). From crazy to E-bike craze leader: Pedego approaches $ 100M in revenue. Orange County Business Journal, 45(11), 1-1,36. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection. 
  • (2021, Dec 03). Electric bikes global market report 2021: COVID-19 implications and growth: Major players in the electric bikes market are Accell Group, Derby Cycle AG, Tianjin Fuji-ta Group, Giant Bicycles… NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
  • (2022, Jun 09). Bicycle carbon frames market size to grow by 5935.37 thousand units | government initiatives promoting the adoption of bicycles will be a key trend | technavio. PR Newswire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection. 
  • (2022, Mar 18). BIKE.co seeks local bike shop partners across the United States: Premier online brand for local bike rentals, gear, apparel and service seeks partnerships from local bike shops across the United States. PR Newswire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.

 

Mergent Online

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

Provides access to US and international public company data. This database also contains data on companies that were acquired, went bankrupt, liquidated or merged out of existence from 1995 forward. Users can compare companies and export data into programs like Excel.

 

BCC Research Centre

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource. Otherwise, contact your local library to see if they provide access.

Publishes 250 reports annually that are complete with market intelligence, five-year forecasts, statistical and analytical data, key players, market share, industry structure and dynamics, and technological shifts and trends.

  • TRBC (2022, May). Motorcycle and Bicycle Market Global Briefing 2022. [Report Code MKB445E]. Retrieved from BCC Research Centre database.
  • TRBC (2021,December). Motorcycle and Bicycle Market Global Competitor Briefing 2021. [Report Code MKB445D]. Retrieved from BCC Research Centre database.
  • TRBC (2020, June). Motorcycle and Bicycle Market Global Briefing 2020: COVID-19 Impact and Recovery. [Report Code MKB445B]. Retrieved from BCC Research Centre database.
  • TRBC (2020, November). Motorcycle and Bicycle Investment Competitor Outlook 2020: COVID-19 Impact and Recovery. [Report Code MKB445C]. Retrieved from BCC Research Centre database.
  • Barnes (2019, March). 2019 Global Forecast for Cycles, all types including unicycles, bicycles, adult and children\'s tricycles of metal tubular construction (2020-2025 Outlook)-Manufacturing & Markets Report. [Report Code MBR1034A]. Retrieved from BCC Research Centre database.

 

Business Source Ultimate

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource. Otherwise, contact your local library to see if they provide access.

Includes financial data, books, videos, company profiles, SWOT analyses, industry profiles, country reports, market research reports and case studies. Also includes information on industry trends, forecasts, outlooks, competitors, how to run a specific business and much more.

  • (NAICS 336991): Motorcycle, Bicycle & Parts Mfg. (2022). United States Motorcycle & Bicycle & Parts Manufacturing Industry Report, 1–196. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate.
  • Moore, J., Cornelio, F., Gorrell, E., Martin, T., Fitzgerald, J., Bordewisch, D., Elam, J., Sayler, P., & Coburn, L. (2022). What’s selling? What’s profitable? How does this year to date compare to 2021 in terms of category sales and profitability? How do you expect sales and profits to evolve this year? Bicycle Retailer & Industry News, 31(6), 10. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate.
  • US Bicycle Imports, Trailing 12 Months from March 2022. (2022). Bicycle Retailer & Industry News, 31(6), 12. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate. 
  • Bike repair rental shop occupies train depot. (2022). Bicycle Retailer & Industry News, 31(6), 14. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate.
  • Keener, R. (2022). Battery safety and recycling charging ahead. Bicycle Retailer & Industry News, 31(6), 16. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate.
  • Frothingham, S. (2022). ViAir vies for the portable bike air compressor market. Bicycle Retailer & Industry News, 31(6), 17. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate.
  • Tolmé, P. (2022). The e-bike conversion market quietly revs up in the wake of the e-bike boom. Bicycle Retailer & Industry News, 31(6), 22. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate.
  • Yobbi, D. (2020). With bike repairs ratcheting up, mechanic schools are in demand: Some prepare for a career adjustment while others seek a skill upgrade. (cover story). Bicycle Retailer & Industry News, 29(10), 1–16. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate.
  • Keener, R. (2019). How many bike shops are there, anyway? Bicycle Retailer & Industry News, 28(4), 1–13. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate. 

 

First Research Industry Profiles

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, or faculty you can access many of these reports through ABI/INFORM and/or Business Market Research Collection (Proquest).

Covers over 900 industry segments. Updated on a quarterly basis, these industry profiles contain critical analysis, statistics and forecasts to help you engage key prospects, coach key clients, and deepen customer relationships. You can search for reports by NAICS, SIC or keyword or browse by category.

  • (2022) Motorcycle Manufacturing - Quarterly Update 6/20/2022. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from First Research Industry Profiles.
  • (2022) Battery Manufacturing - Quarterly Update 6/20/2022. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from First Research Industry Profiles.
  • (2022) Express Delivery Services - Quarterly Update 6/13/2022. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from First Research Industry Profiles.
  • (2022) Sporting Goods Manufacturing - Quarterly Update 5/23/2022. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from First Research Industry Profiles.
  • (2022) Consumer Goods Rental - Quarterly Update 4/25/2022. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from First Research Industry Profiles.

 

IBISWorld Industry Reports

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

IBISWorld research is an independent, professional publisher of high-quality market research reports. These reports analyze the underlying structure and external forces that drive an industry.

  • Thomas, B. (2021, October). Bicycle Dealership and Repair in the US / US INDUSTRY (NAICS) REPORT 44122B / RETAIL TRADE. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database.
  • Ristoff, J. (2021, April). Bicycle Manufacturing in the US. US SPECIALIZED INDUSTRY REPORT OD4357 / CONSUMER GOODS AND SERVICES. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database.
  • McGrath, S. (2021, September). Motorcycle, Bike & Parts Manufacturing in Canada / CANADA INDUSTRY (NAICS) REPORT 33699ACA / MANUFACTURING IN CANADA. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database.
  • Egan, S. (2021, May). Motorcycle, Bike, and Parts Manufacturing in the US / US INDUSTRY (NAICS) REPORT 33699A / MANUFACTURING. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database.
  • Gonzales, E. (2021, October). Couriers and Local Delivery Services in Canada / CANADA INDUSTRY (NAICS) REPORT 49222CA / TRANSPORTATION AND WAREHOUSING IN CANADA. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database.
  • Thomas, B. (2022, April). Bike Rental in the US / US SPECIALIZED INDUSTRY REPORT OD6175 / CONSUMER GOODS AND SERVICES. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database

 

Marketresearch.com/Freedonia Focus

How to access: Check your local public or academic library to see about access. If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

While you can search this website only some Canadian libraries provide full-text access to the market research reports on industries and demographics for North American industries. They can range from 50 to 400+ pages in length, and contain charts, tables, and graphs, and key facts. Marketresearch.com has varied industry coverage and includes US and international information.

  • Freedonia Focus Reports. (2021, November). Bicycles: United States. Marketresearch.com Academic. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.
  • Freedonia Focus Reports (2021, May). Plain Bearings: United States. Marketresearch.com Academic. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.
  • Freedonia Focus Reports. (2020, September). E-bikes: Europe. Marketresearch.com Academic. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.

 

Business Market Research Collection (Proquest)

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

Business Market Research Collection brings together four sources to help students more easily conduct the research they need to produce business plans, marketing plans, startup plans, market growth analysis, and strategic and financial plans. Includes access to: Hoover's Company Profiles, OxResearch, Barnes Reports, and the older Snapshots Series, which includes market research overviews on over 40 industries and 40 countries to 2008.

  • (2022) Motorcycle Manufacturing - Quarterly Update 6/20/2022. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection. 
  • (2022) Battery Manufacturing - Quarterly Update 6/20/2022. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection. 
  • (2022) Express Delivery Services - Quarterly Update 6/13/2022. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection. 
  • (2022) Sporting Goods Manufacturing - Quarterly Update 5/23/2022. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection. 
  • (2022) Consumer Goods Rental - Quarterly Update 4/25/2022. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection. 
  • (2022) Cycling Sports Group, Inc. Hoover’s Company Records: Fort Mill: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection.
  • (2022) Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc. Fort Mill: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection.

 

Statista

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

A simple to use statistics portal that integrates statistics from thousands of sources, on topics related to business, media, public policy, health and others. Statistics can be exported in PPT, XLS, PDF, and PNG formats. Some basic content available for free.

  • Carlier, Matilde. (2021, September 1). Projections for the global electric bike market between 2018 and 2028. Inkwood Research. Retrieved from Statista database.
  • Carlier, Matilde. (2021, September 1). Projections for the global electric bike market between 2018 and 2028 by region. Inkwood Research. Retrieved from Statista database.
  • Carlier, Matilde. (2022, April 22). U.S. Bicycle Industry- Statistics and Facts. Statista. Retrieved from Statista database.
  • (2021). Statista dossier on the bicycle industry in the United States. Statista. Retrieved from Statista database. 
  • (2019). E-Bikes in the U.S.- 2019. Statista Customer Survey. Retrieved from Statista database.
  • Kunst, A. (2022, May 18.) Modes of transportation for commuting in Canada 2022. Statista Global Consumer Survey 2022. Retrieved from Statista database.
  • Tighe, D. (2021, August 26).  Number of cycling equipment and supplies stores in Canada by region, June 2021. StatCan. Retrieved from Statista database. 
  • Kunst, A. (2022, May 18). Mobility service usage in Canada 2022. Statista Global Consumer Survey 2022. Retrieved from Statista database.
  • Kunst, A. (2022, May 18). Mobility service bookings in Canada 2022. Statista Global Consumer Survey 2022. Retrieved from Statista database.
  • (2021). Mobility Services Report 2021. Statista. Retrieved from Statista database.
  • (2018). Statista dossier on cycling. Statista. Retrieved from Statista database.

 

WARC: World Advertising Research Center

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

WARC has case studies from major companies and advertising agencies, as well as articles from leading advertising journals and unpublished papers. It also includes company profiles, advertising spending statistics, and demographic and economic data.

  • Peña-Taylor, Sam. (2021, September). Peloton’s engagement-first design philosophy. WARC. Retrieved from WARC: World Advertising Research Center database.
  • Petio, C. (2020, May). US, Motorcycles & Bikes Ad/Sales ratio. WARC Data Points. Retrieved from WARC database.
  • (2021). Peloton: Brand campaign. WARC Awards for Effectiveness. Retrieved from WARC database.
  • Salvo, T. (2020). Harley-Davidson: Boosting SEO with topic models. WARC Media Awards. Retrieved from WARC: World Advertising Research Center database.
  • (2018). Harley-Davidson Canada: Common Ground. AME Awards. Retrieved from WARC: World Advertising Research Center database.
  • (2021). What’s working in sustainability 2021. WARC Category Intelligence. Retrieved from WARC: World Advertising Research Center database.

 

Newspapers and News Sources - UBC Library Research Guide

How to access: The guide can be viewed through the link below. Individual resources and databases will have different access requirements.

UBC Library has an excellent collection of current and historical newspapers from B.C., Canada, and around the world. UBC affiliates will have access to these resources.

  • Arrais, P. (2022, May 5). Bicycle stores see progress as they pedal hard to meet crazy demand. Times-Colonist. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database.
  • Semeniuk, I. (2022, Apr 21). Report links traffic pollution, health effects: Research suggests there is a strong imperative for shifting to electric vehicles, greener cities. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database.
  • Lundy, L. (2021, June 26). “'It's turmoil': Why the global bike shortage isn't ending soon; Supply chains are under stress. That’s especially the case for bicycles, a booming industry in the pandemic. The Globe and Mail. Retreived from NexisUni database.
  • North America: The time for electric motorcycles has arrived. (2022, Apr 12). Canada NewsWire. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database. 
  • (2019, September 16). 3D printing rolls into the bicycle industry. Plastics News. Retrieved from NexisUni database.