Design, Engineering & Commerce Liaison Librarian
Welcome
This research guide supports the needs of students looking for information about companies. One of the most common types of research required of business students is company research. It could be for a SWOT analysis project, a management or marketing assignment, or you may be researching a company for a job interview. As a student of Thomas Jefferson University, you have access to business intelligence in several library subscription databases.
A company's own website can be a useful source to find out what is happening at a company, to learn about products, divisions, and other basic information. It is important to keep in mind that the company site is primarily a public relations document, designed to encourage investors to buy stock. Therefore you need to evaluate the information found on the web site, and keep in mind that the company isn't likely to offer any information that isn't positive. In other words, the company's own web site has internal biases that make it a fine starting place, but best augmented by the resources available to you as a Jefferson student (identified on this guide's "Find Sources" page).
Background Information and Understanding Sources
Having trouble getting started?
Background Information sources do not assume you already have deep knowledge of your topic, and they do not use technical jargon. These sources are informative, unintimidating, and sometimes inspirational to move your research in a particular direction. This library database has background information sources that have been edited and fact-checked as part of their publication process:
- Credo Reference This link opens in a new windowContains full-text dictionaries, encyclopedias, reference books that can be searched using key words. Definitions, overview articles on a topic, or even pronunciation of medical terms.
Need a better understanding of source types and how to evaluate sources?
- ProQuest Research Companion This link opens in a new windowShort videos are organized into ten Learning Modules that answer questions like "How do I choose a topic?" "Where do I find information?" and "How do I evaluate sources?"