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Professor
Carol Traynor
Library Liaison
Jeff Waller
Contents
Introduction
Searching for:
Journal Articles
Company Information
Subject Guide
Computer Science
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In this class session, we will enhance your knowledge of computer applications by teaching you how to find and use information in online sources, which is an important step toward achieving "information literacy." When combined with computer literacy, information literacy skills become a powerful aid to learning. Specifically, this session will demonstrate the following:
- Using advanced search techniques in a specialized business database and a free online search engine in order to locate journal articles.
- Understanding the difference between searching proprietary databases and searching the Web.
- Locating news and data on companies in order to learn about their latest developments and evaluate their performance.
The following quote helps to explain the relationship between computer literacy and information literacy.
"Expanding from its traditional concept as the ability to read and write, literacy has been variously connected with different educational and cultural activities and linked with a great variety of mechanisms and technologies. The concept of literacy has been expanded into information literacy, which goes beyond traditional literacy including computer literacy and use of computer produced information. Further, information literacy emphasizes the content rather than technological tools be they digital or multimedia."
(International Federation of Library Associations, Annual Conference 1996)
There are a wide range of periodicals dealing with business and economics, including scholarly journals, popular magazines, and the trade press. Scholarly journal articles will typically offer theoretical or empirical examinations of fairly narrow topics, while popular magazine articles provide overviews of the latest trends and developments. Trade-press periodicals (i.e., periodicals targeted toward companies in specific industries) present the insider's perspective on the latest developments in markets and industries.
Search the following databases to locate citations and/or full-text of journal articles. If a link to the full-text is not immediately available, click on the  icon to determine whether the journal is available in the Geisel Library or in full-text via another electronic database. Remember that the library's print journal collection is arranged alphabetically by title on the Lower Level of the Library. If the article isn't available, consider clicking on the Interlibrary Loan link to request a PDF copy of the article from another library.
Business Source Premier
Provides full-text articles and article abstracts for journals covering business, management, economics, finance, banking, accounting, and more. This is the most complete source for exploring the journal literature in business.
Class exercise on searching journal databases (Exercise #1).
SocINDEX
This sociology database provides full-text articles from journals, books, monographs, and conference papers. Coverage is of all subdisciplines of sociology, including criminal justice, ethnic and racial studies, gender studies, social psychology, urban studies, and more.
Google Scholar
This search engine can be used to locate scholarly literature, including peer-reviewed papers, books, abstracts and journal articles, theses, and dissertations. Only a fraction of the content in Google Scholar is available in full text. Coverage is especially strong in the sciences and psychology. Use this only after searching the library's subscription databases for your subject.
ABI INFORM
This database provides citations and abstracts from over 2,000 business and management periodicals, including academic journals and trade publications. It includes citations to numerous peer-reviewed journals offering scholarly analysis of industries and companies.
Academic Search Premier
A broad index providing abstracts and some full-text for a range of academic areas, including economics and business.
Business and Industry
Here you'll find citations and some full-text articles from trade magazines, newsletters, the general business press, and international business dailies. This is also a source of articles on public and private companies, industries, and products.
Business and Management Practices
Look here for citations and some full-text articles that focus on decision-making in organizations and business strategies. This is a good database to search for case studies and how-to articles.
EconLit
This database provides the most comprehensive indexing of the scholarly literature of economics. It provides citations for journal articles, books, and working papers.
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While there are computer applications in all aspects of business, our focus for this class will be on finding company information. For business students, the ability to locate corporate information and data is essential for a variety of tasks, including analyzing a company's financial performance, tracking recent developments, exploring its market strategy, and evaluating its growth prospects. But for all students, these skills can help you explore the career potential of different industries, prepare for job interviews, and even identify stocks to purchase. Here are some databases and websites that offer excellent information about companies and industries.
LexisNexis Academic: News Module
Offers full-text business articles and industry news from newspapers, journals, newswires, and transcripts. Search either "Business News Publications" or "Business Wire" as your Source.
LexisNexis Academic: Business Module
LexisNexis Academic provides a full range of sources for business information, including business and financial news, U.S. and international company financial information, market research, industry reports, and SEC filings. Financial information sources include Standard & Poor's Corporate Descriptions, Hoover's Company Reports, stock reports, and more. Use the menu on the right-hand side to select the type of material you want to find.
Class exercise on searching LexisNexis for company news and profiles (Exercise #2).
Annual Report Gallery
A one-stop source for the latest annual reports of over 2,000 companies, searchable by company name, industry, or sector.
Business Source Premier with Business Searching Interface
This specialized interface provides easy access to country reports, industry and company profiles, market research reports, and SWOT analyses from reputable sources such as the OECD, Data Monitor, Global Insight, and the Economist Intelligence Unit.
EDGAR Database
The government-maintained repository of corporate financial reports (such as 10-Ks and 10-Qs) filed with the SEC. These reports include cash flows, balance sheets, and other information for many companies. Much of this information is also available on LexisNexis.
Hoover's Online
While full site content is available only to subscribers, visitors can obtain "capsules" on many companies (including summary of activities, basic financial data such as balance sheets and income statements, competitors, and news information). In-depth reports from Hoover's are available via the LexisNexis database. Click on 'Business', then 'Company Profiles'.
Standard & Poor's NetAdvantage
This database is a comprehensive source of business and investment information, offering on-line access to Standard & Poor's independent research, data and commentary on stocks, bonds, funds, and industries. Products available through this database include the Industry Surveys, Company Profiles, Stock Reports, Bond Reports, and Global Annual Reports. Profiles include detailed analysis by S&P experts as well as recent financial data.
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