The following links are helful resources and further reading for this class
From The Introduction to Business Research:
From our Library Subject Guides
Primary research is new research, carried out to answer specific issues or questions. It may involve questionnaires, surveys or interviews with individuals or small groups.
Examples: Surveying several landlords to find information on rental costs or contacting farmers about food costs.
This type of research is highly specialized to your topic and can generate lots of data. It’s a great way to gather information specific to your needs.
The database Sage Research Methods is an excellent tool for Primary Research
It is important to not limit yourself to only what the library provides because for most business projects, students are not required to use solely peer-reviewed academic sources. Instead rely on a variety of information from many different sources. Be aware that some sources are more reliable than others.
Important things to know about secondary research:
A lot of business information is proprietary and difficult to find.
There is also no "magic database" that will have everything you need in one place. There are many facets to business research, and you will need to use several resources to get a complete picture.
You must view the information you find critically. Also, view the information in the context it was produced. Ask yourself - Who is producing this information?
Use the BUSINESS LIBRARY SUBJECT GUIDES to find relevant Secondary Business Research for your specific topics.
|
Type of Resource |
Information Contained |
Examples of Resources |
|
Industry Reports |
Profiles, Overviews, Statistics, Forecasts |
IBISWorld, MarketLine, Statista, Passport, Fitch Connect |
|
News and Articles |
Current Developments |
CBCA, Factiva, Business Source Complete, Proquest One Business, Pressreader, Canadian Newsstream, US Major Daily Newspapers |
|
Trade Associations & Publications |
Overviews, Statistics, Forecasts, Current Developments, |
CBCA, Factiva, Business Source Complete, Proquest One Business, Pressreader, Canadian Newsstream, US Major Daily Newspapers |
|
Research Institutes |
Overviews, Statistics, Forecasts, Current Developments, |
Conference Board of Canada |
|
Government websites |
Regulations, Statistics |
Gov Websites, Stats Canada |
|
Type of Resource |
Information Contained |
Examples of Resources |
|
Market Reports (and sometimes Industry Reports) |
Product/service info, consumer, demographics, market size |
Passport, MarketResearch.com Academic, Mintel, MarketLine, Statista, Insider Intelligence, Frost & Sullivan, BCC Research |
|
Mapping Databases |
Demographics, location of consumer, market size |
SimplyAnalytics |
|
News and Articles |
Research, Statistics, Forecasts, Current Developments, Trends |
ProQuest One Business, Business Source Complete,CBCA, Insider Intelligence, Academic Search Complete |
|
Government Statistics |
Demographics, location of consumer, market size |
Statistics Canada |
|
Market Reports (and sometimes Industry Reports) |
Product/service info, consumer, demographics, market size |
Passport, MarketResearch.com Academic, Mintel, MarketLine, Statista, Insider Intelligence, Frost & Sullivan, BCC Research |
|
Type of Resource |
Information Contained |
Examples of Resources |
|
Company Reports and Profiles |
Profiles, Overviews, Forecasts, Financials, Analysis, Trends, Performance, Statistics, SWOT |
IBISWorld, Mergent, NetAdvantage, Orbis, Refinitiv, MarketLine, Factiva, MSCI ESG Direct, FP Advisor, Business Source Complete, Proquest One Business, Fitch Connect, S&P Capital IQ Pro |
|
Company Annual Filings & Financials (For Public Companies) |
Financials, Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) |
EDGAR, SEDAR, Pitchbook, S&P Capital IQ Pro |
|
News and Articles |
Overviews, Statistics, Forecasts, Current Developments, Trends, Research |
CBCA, Factiva, Business Source Complete, Proquest One Business, Pressreader, Canadian Newsstream, US Major Daily Newspapers, S&P Capital IQ Pro |
|
Company Website |
For Public Companies: Annual Reports, Letter to Shareholders, Investors Overview, Message from the CEO For all: Potentially strategy and culture |
Investor Relations/Information, Privacy and Legal, About Us, Company Page |
|
Company's Social Media |
Organizational Culture & Behaviour, Marketing Campaigns, For LinkedIn who works at the Company |
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, LinkedIn |
|
Type of Resource |
Information Contained |
Examples of Resources |
|
Equities & Assets |
Stock Pricing Data, Global Stock Data, Information about bonds |
CRSP Database (WRDS), CRSP Databases (CHASS), NYSE Trade and Quote (TAQ), Compustat Global (WRDS), Global Financial Data, World Indices (Yahoo Finance), DealScan, TRACE (WRDS), Canadian Financial Markets Research Center, S&P Capital IQ Pro |
|
Company Financial statements |
How much are companies spending and making |
EDGAR, SEDAR, Pitchbook, Compustat Global (WRDS), Capital IQ (WRDS), Orbis, Megent, Marketline, S&P Capital IQ Pro |
|
Earnings and Estimates Data |
Projections made by analysts |
IBES (WRDS) |
|
Mutual Funds |
Investing by banks |
CRSP Mutual Fund Database (WRDS) |
|
Insider Ownership Information |
Board members & directors actions |
Capital IQ People Intelligence (WRDS), Boardex, Compustat Execucomp (WRDS) |
|
Venture Capital and Private Equity |
Deals and private funding |
Pitchbook, Zephyr, S&P Capital IQ Pro |