Hekman Library: Engineering: Explore Market Research

Dig Deeper Into Market Research

Market research is an necessary step in cultivating an idea from germ stage to when it can bear fruit. Is it a good idea? Does it already exist? Is it cost effective? Is there competition? These are the questions that may be answered by conducting research into the existing markets. Just as there may be multiple solutions to a single design problem, so too, there may be multiple ways to gather useful information. Below are links to free and subscription-based resources that may provide useful information.

Recommended Research Resources (Subscription-based)

SciFinder-n
SciFinder-n is the interface to the database of chemistry literature, Chemical Abstracts. It provides full-text access to the world's most comprehensive and authoritative source of substances and reactions in chemistry and related sciences. In addition to the reference, substance, reaction and supplier content found in CAS SciFinder®, CAS SciFinder-n includes relevance-ranked results, step-by-step procedures and protocols, citation mapping, biosequence searching, retrosynthetic analysis, patent landscape mapping, touch-screen enabled structure drawing and much more—all accessible in a simple, easy-to-use interface.

You must have Calvin credentials in order to use the SciFinder-n database, and you will need to request registration from this page before using the site for the first time.
IBISWorld
Expert industry market research to help you make better business decisions, faster. Industry market research reports, statistics, analysis, data, trends, and forecasts.
IBISWorld industry reports contain trends, statistics, and analysis on market size, market share of competitors, and industry growth rates. Major market segments are identified and also those forces affecting demand and supply within the industry. Performance analysis includes emerging industry trends as well as recent production performance.
Standard & Poor's NetAdvantage
S & P NetAdvantage provides in-depth analysis of companies and industries, including economic forecasts and industry trends.
NetAdvantage provides in-depth analysis of companies and industries, including economic and industry forecasts and trends.

Included are comprehensive Industry Surveys back to 1998; Stock, Mutual fund and Bond Reports; Corporation Records; Company Profiles (stock, bond and earnings guides and dividend records), "The Outlook"; the Register of Corporations, Executives, & Directors; and Security Dealers of North America.

Also included is Compustat Excel Analytics, which provide in excel format the following reports for companies: 5 years worth of Income Statement data, Balance sheet data, and Cash Flow data; 6 years of ratio data; and a comparative report that includes financial data for the selected company and its 10 peers for the most current fiscal year.

There are also 4 quarterly reports. All are updated weekly.
ProQuest One Business
ProQuest One Business is an intuitive and comprehensive business library containing millions of full-text items across scholarly and popular periodicals, newspapers, market research reports, dissertations, books, videos, and more. Topics include business, accounting, taxation, banking, marketing, market research, entrepreneurship, economics, Asian and European business, and company and industry research. For search tips and more information, visit https://proquest.libguides.com/pq1business/home.
Entrepreneurial Studies Source (EBSCO)
The latest insights on entrepreneurship and small business topics for business students and researchers. Content comes from business journals, magazines, reference books, case studies and company profiles.
Covering the latest insights in entrepreneurship and small business ownership, Entrepreneurial Studies Source is an essential full-text database for business students and researchers. Content comes from business journals, magazines, reference books, case studies and company profiles. Subjects covered include business planning, communications, innovations, management, marketing, organizational behavior, product development, raising capital, and risk taking.
Gartner Business Research - Campus Access - Calvin University Access Only
Gartner, Inc. is a research and advisory company. It provides business analysis across a wide range of industries, with a particular focus on information technology.
Small Business Source
Small Business Source offers exclusive full text for many top consumer small business reference books, as well as tools to address many small business topics. It includes business videos, a help and advice section, and details on how to create business plans.

Business Insights: Global
A fully integrated resource bringing together company profiles, brand information, rankings, investment reports, company histories, chronologies and periodicals. Search this database to find detailed company and industry news and information.
ICIS Chemical Business
With full-text coverage from Full text coverage late 2007 (Vol. 272, no. 13) to present, this periodical provides access to insights into chemical price changes and supply & demand trends, as well as their impact on the markets.

Other Resources (Open Access)

ICIS
ICIS is the world's largest petrochemical market information provider and has fast-growing energy and fertilizer divisions.
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The information on this site is useful, but limited and partially behind paywalls.
ThomasNet
ThomasNet is an industrial search engine that is "designed for sourcing components, equipment, MRO products, raw materials and custom manufacturing services."
NAICS locator
"The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is the standard used by Federal statistical agencies in classifying business establishments for the purpose of collecting, analyzing, and publishing statistical data related to the U.S. business economy." Use this website to search for a specific industry by keyword.