Bus 362 - Market Opportunity Analysis (Prof. Purdy)

Introduction | Reference Sources | Indexes & Databases | Internet Resources | Writing the Paper

Reference Librarian Zip Kellogg/e-mail zkellogg@usm.maine.edu /tel. 780-4272 would be glad to help you find information at any time.

This class is an information intensive one. A facility with proprietary library databases, locating experts, and refined searching of the Net will all work to your advantage. Reference Librarian Zip Kellogg will visit the class several times during the semester but is also available to meet with students individually or in groups.

In order to find books, journal titles, videos, government documents and other materials held in the University of Maine System you will need to consult URSUS, the online catalog. Because journal article citations are not individually included in URSUS, you will need to use a discipline-specific index to find this information (see Resources by Subject).

If you do not know the exact subject heading describing the topic you need, try doing a keyword search using other word/s related to that topic and then click on the subject heading links found within the relevant records to find additional, useful resources.

The Library of Congress provides a breakdown of the call number classification scheme. To find a listing of topic call numbers click on any of the subcategories below to see more detail. Each subject heading is hotlinked directly to URSUS.

To obtain materials not located at your USM, but still within URSUS, you will need to click on the Request button on the URSUS screen and enter your name and barcode number (found under the barcode on your USM Card, which begins with 25022....). Your barcode will need to be activated at the Circulation Desk.

If the item is not available through the University of Maine System (URSUS) or Maine InfoNet you can request it via Interlibrary Loan (Illiad).

Reference Sources

Reference sources are useful tools to obtain background information and to develop a vocabulary of possible search terms. The following are just a few of the print resources available at the University of Southern Maine Libraries.

Ward's Business Directory of U.S. Private and Public Companies
POR Reference HG 4057 A557

Encyclopedia of Global Industries
POR Reference HD 2324 E53

Small Business Sourcebook
POR Reference HD 2346 U5 S66

CQ's State Fact Finder:Rankings Across America
POR Reference HA 214 V36

New England Manufacturers Directory
POR Reference HD 9723 D45

The New Nonprofit Almanac & Desk Reference: Essential Facts and Figures for Managers, Researchers, and Volunteers
POR Reference HD 2769.2 U6 N47

Business Plans Handbook
POR Reference HD 62.7 B865

Because of the lengthy publishing cycle for a book, information in a book is not always current. Periodical articles are current sources of information. There are two main types of periodicals: scholarly and popular. Scholarly periodicals are usually referred to as journals. Articles in journals contain reports of primary research; the articles are written by experts in the field and for other researchers/scholars; use terms and language specific to that discipline; may include graphs, charts, etc. related to the topic; most often are peer reviewed via an editorial board; are published by professional organization or society, university, research centers, scholarly presses; and often include a bibliography. Popular periodical articles contain general information; are written using easily understood language that appeals to a varied audience; are usually written by journalists or others who are not experts in the field; do not include citations; has a limited or non-existent editorial review board; and may contain glossy photographs. The Finding Articles tutorial provides more information on how to find articles.

Here are a few databases selected specifically because they are likely to be useful for students in the Market Opportunity Analysis course.

Business Source Premier
This is a good general purpose business index, covering such topics as finance, money and banking, mergers and acquisitions, new technologies, international trade, and more. For many students and faculty alike it is the first place to search for articles in business and trade journals. Many of the cited items are in full text (the entire article shows on your computer screen).

Business and Company Resource Center
The BCRC is actually a collection of databases organized specifically for the business community.  One can search for information about a specific company, about an entire industry, or for current articles about any business topic.  After the initial search, it's easy to follow links to varied business information, such as company histories, rankings within the industry, business and trade associations related to the search, etc.

Regional Business News
A collection of news stories from several news wire services and current business and trade journals.  Up to the minute articles and briefs from around and nation and the world.

ProQuest Newspapers
For up to date newspaper articles on specific companies, industries, business trends, etc. Cover s the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post, Boston Globe, Los Angeles Times, Times of London, Christian Science Monitor, etc.  This is a full-text database.

EconLit
A database of the economic literature produced by the American Economics Association. It covers hundreds of journals, books, disserta tions, working papers, etc. If you are taking classes in economics or are an economics major this database may be of great use to you.

Maine Newsstand
This index helps you find current newspaper articles about Maine business topics, Maine businesses, etc. It covers, among other newspapers, the Portland Press Herald, Maine Sunday Telegram, and the Bangor Daily News. It is a full text database.

Standard & Poor's NetAdvantage
T his Database includes online access to many of the Standard and Poor's research products and publications, including Industry Surveys, Stock Reports, Mutual Fund Reports, Bond Reports, Corporation Records, and The Outlook

Internet Resources

U.S. Census Bureau

Yahoo Business links a broad range of links to business info on the Net

Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Manual
This link allows the user to search the 1987 version of the SIC manual by keyword, to access descriptive information for a specified 2,3,4-digit SIC, and to examine the manual.

North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)
NAICS was developed jointly by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico to provide new comparability in statistics about business activity across North America

Internet Business Resources
Links to a variety of business related internet guides.

This category contains information on how to write a paper. In using resources it is imperative that they be used ethically and legally. The sources listed here provide assistance in this process. Check with the professor or a reference librarian if you have questions about this.

Writing Handbooks

St. Martin's Handbook
POR Reference PE1112 .L86 1989
Contains sections on the writing process, sentence construction, punctuation, doing research, and academic writing.

A Writer's Reference, 3rd Edition
POR Reference PE1408 .H2778 1995
Includes sections on composing and revising, design, sentence structure, grammar, punctuation, writing, and documentation.

Citation Style

Online! A Reference Guide Using Internet Resources

Plagiarism

Plagiarism Examples (Indiana University School of Education)

Zip Kellogg
Created: Jan. 23, 2008
Updated: Feb. 15, 2008