Library Databases

Published: September 8, 2023
Updated: January 19, 2024

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.

  • Press release: LINDBLAD EXPEDITIONS HOLDINGS, INC. TO REPORT 2022 FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR FINANCIAL RESULTS ON FEBRUARY 28, 2023. (2023, Feb 09). Dow Jones Institutional News. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.Heli purchases great canadian heli-skiing and heather mountain lodge. (2022, Dec 19). PR Newswire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
  • Carr, M. (2022, Dec 03). The wild side of the mountain: Canada | as the big resorts grow more crowded, british columbia's backcountry huts are in demand. matt carr discovers ski-touring heaven. Financial Times. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
  • Introducing paddle BC: Your guide to exploring paddling destinations across the province: Paddle BC is a brand new online resource that connects paddling enthusiasts of all levels with BC's best paddling destinations. (2022, Oct 25). NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
  • Adventure tourism market size 2022 | reach USD 5621.71 million by 2028 data is newest for global separately with impact of domestic and global market top players, forthcoming growth, industry prospects and forecast to 2028. (2022, Sep 19). NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
  • Atlantic canada welcomes outdoor adventurers in 2022: Experience sea kayaking, food foraging, extensive hiking, wildlife viewing, and more. (2022, Mar 22). PR Newswire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
  • Six vacation options for U.S. travelers craving the great outdoors: Travel leaders network advisors see an uptick in requests for road trips, national parks. (2020, Aug 28). PR Newswire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection. 
  • Giddy, J., & Webb, N. L. (2018). Environmental attitudes and adventure tourism motivations. GeoJournal, 83(2), 275-287. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-017-9768-9. 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. (2018, January). Camping and Caravanning Global Market Briefing 2018 (Report Code MKB019B). BCC Research. Retrieved from BCC Research Centre.

 

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.

  • Clarke, J. F., Previte, J., & Chien, P. M. (2022). Adventurous femininities: The value of adventure for women travelers. Journal of Vacation Marketing, 28(2), 171–187. https://doi.org/10.1177/13567667211038952. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate.
  • Global outdoor vacation industry expected to reach over $3,000bn by 2030. (2021). Outdoor Industry Compass, 14(22), 26. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate.
  • Lin, W., Li, M., Lin, J., & Lin, J. (2022). Self-decisions versus other-decisions in adventure tourism. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, 39(1), 31–41. https://doi.org/10.1080/10548408.2022.2044973. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate.
  • Hill II, W. W., & Yingge Qu. (2021). Vacation Adventure Versus Relaxation: Revitalization or Exhaustion. Journal of Marketing Development & Competitiveness, 15(1), 90–100. https://doi.org/10.33423/jmdc.v15i1.4171. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate.
  • Ekstein, N. (2021). The Places Where Travel Recovered Fastest (and Slowest) in 2021. Bloomberg.Com, N.PAG. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate.
  • Tenson supports Adventure Travel Trade Association. (2021). Outdoor Industry Compass, 14(24), 4. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate.
  • “The Economic Benefits of Recreation in Canada.” 2021. Canadian Journal of Economics 54 (4): 1684–1715. doi:10.1111/caje.12560. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate.
  • NICKERSON, N., SAGE, J., & GRAU, K. (2019). Travel, Tourism and Recreation: Nonresident Visitation Stable. Montana Business Quarterly, 57(4), 44–45. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate.
  • Hanna, P., Wijesinghe, S., Paliatsos, I., Walker, C., Adams, M., & Kimbu, A. (2019). Active engagement with nature: outdoor adventure tourism, sustainability and wellbeing. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 27(9), 1355–1373. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2019.1621883. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate.
  • Miller, R. K., & Washington, K. (2019). PART III: ATTRACTIONS & TOURIST ACTIVITIES: Chapter 20: ADVENTURE TRAVEL: 20.1: Overview. Travel & Tourism Market Research Handbook, 137. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate.
  • Stamps, K. (2018). Getting Outside Pays Off: Adventure tourism boosts human and economic fitness. Lane Report, 33(6), 60. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate.
  • Kronsberg, M. (2018, June 23). An Unmissable Outdoor Adventure in Canada’s Gulf Islands. Wall Street Journal - Online Edition, 1. 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.

  • Travel agencies & services - quarterly update 2/13/2023. (2023). (). Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection; Business Market Research Collection.
  • Sustainable tourism market to grow by USD 335.93 billion at a CAGR of 9.54% from 2022 to 2027 - historic market size valued at USD 489 billion between 2017 to 2021 - technavio. (2023, Mar 03). PR Newswire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection; Business Market Research Collection.
  • Recreational & vacation camps - quarterly update 5/2/2022. (2022). (). Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection; Business Market Research Collection.
  • Recreational & vacation camps - quarterly update 1/24/2022. (2022). (). Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection; Business Market Research Collection. 
  • Travel agencies & services - quarterly update 2/1/2021. (2021). (). Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection; Business Market Research Collection.
  • Arts, entertainment & recreation sector - quarterly update 11/16/2020. (2020). (). Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection; Business Market Research Collection.

 

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.

  • Buchko, M. (2023, January). Travel Agencies in Canada: Canada Industry (NAICS) Report 56151CA / Administration, Business Support & Waste Management Services. IBISWorld. 
  • Ristoff, J. (2023, February). Global Tourism: Global Industry Report X9001-GL /  Additional Global Reports. IBISWorld. 
  • Le, T. (2023, January). Global Travel Agency Services: Global Industry Report H4911-GL / Global Transport, Post and Storage. IBISWorld.
  • Berdousis, D. (2023, January). Tour Operators in the US: US Industry (NAICS) Report 56152 / Administration, Business Support and Waste Management Services. IBISWorld. 
  • Buchko, M. (2022, October). Campgrounds & Recreational Vehicle Parks in Canada: Canada Industry (NAICS) Report 72121CA / Accommodation and Food Services in Canada. IBISWorld. 

 

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. (2022, May). Recreation: United States. Retrieved from Market Research.com Academic.
  • Freedonia Focus Reports. (2022, May). Travel Services: United States. Retrieved from Market Research.com Academic.
  • Freedonia Focus Reports. (2018, April). Recreational Vehicles: United States. Retrieved from Market Research.com Academic.

 

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.

  • Recreational & vacation camps - quarterly update 3/20/2023. (2023). (). Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection.
  • Ski facilities - quarterly update 2/27/2023. (2023). (). Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection.
  • Travel agencies & services - quarterly update 2/13/2023. (2023). (). Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. 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. (2023, March 28). Outdoor recreation in Canada - statistics & facts. Retrieved from Statista database.
  • Statista Research Department. (2023, March 28). Recreational fishing in the U.S. - statistics & facts. Retrieved from Statista database.
  • Statista Research Department. (2023, March 28). Camping in North America - statistics & facts.  Retrieved from Statista database.
  • Statista. (2023). Camping in North America. Retrieved from Statista database.
  • Tighe, D. (2022, December 15). Outdoor recreation & sporting goods in the United States - statistics & facts. Retrieved from Statista database.
  • Statista Research Department. (2022, May 18). How likely are you to take an adventure when on vacation in Canada? [chart]. Retrieved from Statista database.
  • Statista Research Department. (2022, May 12). Most popular recreation activities among campers in North America in 2021 [chart]. Retrieved from Statista database.
  • Statista. (2022). Travel and Tourism in the U.S. 2022 [chart]. Retrieved from Statista database.
  • Statista. (2022). Outdoor recreation market in Canada. Retrieved from Statista database.
  • López, A. (2022, May 31). Leading country destinations for adventure tourism worldwide in 2020. 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.

  • What’s working in travel. (n.d.). Retrieved from WARC database.
  • Travel and sustainability: Transforming for the future. (2021, May). Retrieved from WARC 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.

  • QUARK EXPEDITIONS ANNOUNCES INNOVATIVE HIKING AND TREKKING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE POLAR REGIONS. (2022, Jun 23). Canada NewsWire. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream.
  • Quark expeditions unveils industry's most immersive polar helicopter program. (2021, Jul 20). Canada NewsWire. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream.
  • Bramham, D. (2021, Jan 30). A high-seas tale of polar expeditions, intrigue & shipwreck; squamish businessman hopes to beat the odds to revive beleaguered adventure tour company. The Vancouver Sun. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream.
  • Lyons, S. (2020, Oct 03). Tourism sector pivots to local market: Tour operators shift focus to manitoba travellers. Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream.
  • Heather, B. R. (2019, Sep 07). Women-only adventure travel is surging. Telegraph-Journal. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream.
  • O'Neill, D. (2018, Spring). ONE HELI OF A HIKE. Canadian Geographic, Suppl.Travel, 47-49,52-53. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream.