Library Databases

Updated: November 23, 2023

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.

  • PayBito transforms entrepreneurship with practical solutions for home-based business ideas. (2023, Jun 07). PR Newswire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
  • Olea, A. (2023). HOME-BASED FRANCHISES: MEETING GROWING DEMAND WITH LOW-COST, HIGH-IMPACT BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES. Franchising World, 55(2), 56. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
  • Liu, S., & Local Journalism, I. R. (2023, Feb 22). 'Everyone can be a homepreneur’: Home-based businesses booming in Markham. The Canadian Press. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
  • The majority of solopreneurs are female, new study by leapmesh. (2023, Feb 07). PR Newswire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
  • Frank, A. (2020). CHEW ON THIS: HOME BUSINESSES ARE BOOMING: FROM KITCHENS AND SPARE BEDROOMS, RECESSION SPURS NEW CREATIONS. Crain's Detroit Business, 36(41), 3. 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.

  • BCC Research. (2022, September). Specialized Design Services Market Global Briefing 2022: Ukraine-Russia War Impact (Report Code MKB212H). Retrieved from BCC Research database.
  • BCC Research. (2022, September). Accounting Services Market Global Briefing 2022: Ukraine-Russia War Impact (Report Code MKB202G). Retrieved from BCC Research database.
  • BCC Research. (2022, August). North America Accounting Services Market Report 2022 (Report Code MKB587A). Retrieved from BCC Research database.
  • BCC Research. (2022, May). Specialized Design Services Market Global Briefing 2022 (Report Code MKB212G). Retrieved from BCC Research 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.

  • Olea, A. (2023). Home-Based Franchises: Meeting Growing Demand with Low-Cost, High-Impact Business Opportunities. Franchising World, 55(2), 56.
  • Daniel, E. M., & Owen, R. (2022). Home-Based Self-Employment: Combining Personal, Household and Employment Influences. Journal of Enterprising Culture, 30(2), 123–160. https://doi.org/10.1142/S0218495822500054
  • Bryant, J. (2022). The Booming Female-Owned Home-Based Business Market. Insurance Journal, 100(8), 50.
  • Olea, A. (2022). Home-Based Franchises Provide Ideal Opportunities for Women to Experience Business Ownership. Franchising World, 54(2), 88–89.
  • Top Tips for Starting a Home-Based Business. (2022). Home Business Magazine: The Home-Based Entrepreneur’s Magazine, 10.
  • HENDERSON, R. (2022). Podcast - Biz Revolution - Martha Krejci is Revolutionizing Home-Based Careers for Women. Home Business Magazine: The Home-Based Entrepreneur’s Magazine, 20.
  • BINKS, G. (2021). NO OFFICE REQUIRED: Home and mobile-based businesses provide unique, flexible franchise opportunities for entrepreneurs. FranchiseCanada Magazine, 41–46.
  • Henderson, R. (2020). Read Our New Home-Based Business Start-Up Guide. Home Business Magazine: The Home-Based Entrepreneur’s Magazine, 27(3), 8.
  • Kerravala, Z. (2020). How COVID-19 Pandemic is Boosting Home-Based Business Networking. EWeek, N.PAG.
  • Henderson, R. (2020). Read Our New Home-Based Business Start-Up Guide. Home Business Magazine: The Home-Based Entrepreneur’s Magazine, 27(3), 8.
  • SABHERWAL, S. (2020). From Home-Makers to “Homepreneurs.” Impact: The Marketing & Advertising Weekly, 17(6), 8–9.
  • Salusse, M. A. Y., & Andreassi, T. (2019). What it Takes to Be a Successful Home-Based Business? A Configurational Approach. Academy of Management Annual Meeting Proceedings, 2019(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.5465/AMBPP.2019.18981abstract

 

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.

  • PayBito transforms entrepreneurship with practical solutions for home-based business ideas. (2023, Jun 08). ICT Monitor Worldwide. Retrieved from First Research Industry Profiles.
  • 'Everyone can be a homepreneur': Home-based businesses booming in Markham. (2023, Mar 29). Markham Economist & Sun. Retrieved from First Research Industry Profiles.
  • Meissner, D. (2022, Jan 13). Home based businesses in for home insurance increase. The Interior News. Retrieved from First Research Industry Profiles.
  • Cestnick, T. (2021). Home-based businesses can save you taxes if you do it right: The advantage of a small business, even part-time, is that you can create extra income and open the door to meaningful tax deductions for things you may be paying for anyway. Retrieved from First Research Industry Profiles.
  • Shaking up your work life: Recent entrepreneurs offer tips on starting your own business. (2021, May 31). Toronto Star. Retrieved from First Research Industry Profiles.
  • Want to start your own business from home? how a first-time entrepreneur made $100,000 in her first seven months. (2021). Retrieved from First Research Industry Profiles.
  • Jacobs, E. (2018, Oct 01). Co-working's new frontier: The kitchen table: Freelancers are shunning formal spaces and setting up shared low-cost offices at home. Emma Jacobs joins the revolution. Financial Times. 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.

  • Ayers, J. (2023, March). Online Tutoring Services in the US: US Specialized Industry Report OD6038 / Online Retail. Retrieved from IBISWorld Industry Reports.
  • Dalal, M. (2023, June). Online Greeting Card Sales in the US: US Specialized Industry Report OD5449 / Online Retail. Retrieved from IBISWorld Industry Reports.
  • Buchko, M. (2022, November). Photography in Canada: Canada Industry (NAICS) Report 54192CA / Professional, Scientific and Technical Services in Canada. Retrieved from IBISWorld Industry Reports.
  • DellaCamera, C. (2022, October). IT Consulting in Canada: Canada Industry (NAICS) Report 54151CA / Professional, Scientific and Technical Services in Canada. Retrieved from IBISWorld Industry Reports.
  • Diment, D. (2022, October). Management Consulting in Canada: Canada Industry (NAICS) Report 54161CA / Professional, Scientific and Technical Services in Canada. Retrieved from IBISWorld Industry Reports.
  • DellaCamera, C. (2022, September). Graphic Designers in Canada: Canada Industry (NAICS) Report 54143CA / Professional, Scientific and Technical Services in Canada.Retrieved from IBISWorld Industry Reports.

 

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.

  • Packaged Facts. (2023, February). Home Baking: US Market Trends & Opportunities, 2nd Edition. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com.
  • Freedonia Focus Reports. (2022, May). Management Consulting Services: United States. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com.
  • Packaged Facts. (2021, February). Home Baking: US Market Trends & Opportunities. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com.

 

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.

  • Direct selling - quarterly update 4/17/2023. (2023). Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection.
  • Direct selling - quarterly update 1/3/2023. (2023). Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection.
  • Advertising & marketing services - quarterly update 6/19/2023. (2023). Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection.
  • Graphic design services - quarterly update 5/1/2023. (2023). Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection.
  • 2023 U.S. computer systems designs services industry-industry & market report. (2022). Bonita Springs: Barnes Reports. 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.

  • Statista Research Department. (2022, June 13). Remote work in Canada - Statistics and facts. Retrieved from Statista database.
  • Statista Research Department. (2016, February 23). Number of home-based businesses in the United States in 2012, by industry. Retrieved from Statista database.
  • Statista Research Department. (2016, February 23). Number of home-based businesses in the United States in 2012, by race/ethnicity of owner. 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.

 

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.

  • 'Everyone can be a homepreneur': Home-based businesses booming in Markham. (2023, Mar 29). Markham Economist & Sun. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream.
  • Cestnick, T. (2021). Home-based businesses can save you taxes if you do it right: The advantage of a small business, even part-time, is that you can create extra income and open the door to meaningful tax deductions for things you may be paying for anyway. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream.
  • Hamilton's above ground underground food economy: Home-based businesses supplement incomes in tough time and prime people for entrepreneurship. (2021, Jul 17). The Spectator. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream.
  • Hamilton's home-based businesses are heating up: People used their "isolate at home time" to turn passion projects into profits. (2021). Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream.
  • Shaking up your work life: Recent entrepreneurs offer tips on starting your own business. (2021, May 31). Toronto Star. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream.
  • 'A lot of money to set up': Ontario releases guide for startup home-based food businesses; NOTL operators say more assistance could help. (2021, Jan 11). Niagara-on-the-Lake Advance. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream.