Adam Siegel
Research Support Services
Researcher Services Librarian
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UWP104A – Business Writing – Spring 2020
by Adam Siegel – May 7, 2020
Welcome!
This guide is designed to help you find secondary sources for your UWP104A Industry Trend Report assignment. For a comprehensive listing of search tools, visit the UC Davis Library website.
Instructions:
1. Follow the instructions to download and set up the library’s VPN, Pulse Secure, so you can search from off-campus.
☞ HELP! I’ve tried and it’s not working. Check our FAQ or submit a Technical Support Request
2. Review the content in this guide.
3. Watch the screencasts about Business Source Complete , Locating Articles Through Subject Guides (through 2:53), and UCD-eLinks.
4. Use the search tools included in the Background Sources and Scholarly Articles sections of this guide to identify sources.
Surveying Your Industry
Industry research is generally conducted by, for, or on behalf of the following;
| Entity: | Search Tools: |
|---|---|
| Trade Publications | Business Source Complete |
| Trade Associations | Advanced Google Search: There is no single standard directory of all trade associations: search strategies center around “(yourindustry)” + “association” + site:org/site:com). |
| Industry-Focused Market Research | Advanced Google Search: There is no single standard directory of all market research: search strategies center around “(yourindustry)” + “market research” + “report.”) WARNING: market research reports on the Web are generally prohibitively expensive, for both researchers and research libraries. This strategy is useful for determining which market research firms specialize in your industry. |
| Business Intelligence (Databases) | Business Source Complete, Factiva, Nexis Uni (formerly LexisNexis): Business intelligence searches should be mindful of specific keywords and/or proper names. Search strategies should exploit knowledge of trade associations, industry-specific trade publications, industry-specific market research firms, etc. The most powerful search phrase in this context is “according to” (e.g., “according to” “growth” “(yourindustry),” “(marketresearchfirm).” |
| Business Intelligence (Web Content) | Advanced Google Search: Business intelligence searches should be mindful of specific keywords and/or proper names. Search strategies should exploit knowledge of trade associations, industry-specific trade publications, industry-specific market research firms, etc. The most powerful search phrase in this context is “according to” (e.g., “according to” “growth” “(yourindustry),” “(marketresearchfirm).” Pay attention to top-level domains (site:org, site:gov, etc.). Federal, state, and local governments also track industry trends (e.g., Bay Area and California in re tech industry; New York City in re finance industry; Central Valley California in re agriculture, etc.). Pay attention to file types, limiting to filetype:pdf, filetype:docx, filetype:ppt, etc. |
| NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) | NAICS: A system of unique identification numbers that outline economic sectors broad and narrow. NAICS codes are essential for using both subscription databases and searching industry and government websites. |
| Macro-level Industry Research (Databases) | NetAdvantage: For coverage of broad industrial sectors. |
Get Help
If you have questions about search tools or strategies:
- Ask a Librarian (24/7 online chat service staffed by librarians from the U.S. and U.K.)
- Drop-in Research Help (available Monday-Friday 10am-5pm via Zoom)
- Send Me an Email (ask a question or request a virtual appointment)