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.
Business Resources at Academic Libraries
Colleges and Universities with business programs will have useful business collections you may be able to get access to through their academic library. Often these academic libraries can provide the general public with access to their collections, which include electronic resources like databases and e-books. For example, they could have alumni or community cards, and can provide temporary "guest" passes in certain situations. Contact your local college or university library to see what they can provide. Please note: you probably will not get access to their electronic resources with remote access.
Databases For Industry Research
TIP: Try searching for app development or mobile apps terms like trends or research or statistics to narrow your search.
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.
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.
- (2017, January). Mobile Technologies: Global Markets. BCC Research. Retrieved from https://www.bccresearch.com/market-research/information-technology/mobi…
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.
- How to increase mobile app downloads quickly - plus, the top 25 app development agencies who can build a successful app in 2019: Research shows that 60 percent of mobile apps have never been downloaded. luckily, DesignRush uncovered 3 top tips that can increase app downloads effectively and the best app development firms that can help. (2019, Feb 07). PR Newswire Retrieved from http://ezproxy.library.ubc.ca/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/doc…
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.
- Stocchi, L., Michaelidou, N., Pourazad, N., & Micevski, M. (2018). The rules of engagement: how to motivate consumers to engage with branded mobile apps. Journal of Marketing Management, 34(13/14), 1196–1226. https://doi.org/10.1080/0267257X.2018.1544167
- MarketLine Industry Profile: Mobile Apps in Canada. (2019). Mobile Apps Industry Profile: Canada, N.PAG. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bsu&AN=141216087&…
- MarketLine Industry Profile: Mobile Apps in Global. (2019). Mobile Apps Industry Profile: Global, 1–63. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bsu&AN=141216797&…
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.
TechVibes
“Techvibes is Canada's leading technology news site, events calendar, and job board.”