This guide is aimed at helping the user to conduct research on Industries using only the Internet. For more complete research make sure to use both online commercial databases and print sources available at public or corporate libraries.
SEARCH
STRATEGY AND TYPES OF RESOURCES USED IN INDUSTRY
RESEARCH PUBLIC OPINION
& DISCUSSION ABOUT INDUSTRIES, PRODUCTS,
PEOPLE
1) DETERMINE WHAT YOU NEED TO
KNOW.
Need or end-user usually determines sophistication of
information.
Ask who is the ultimate recipient of
the research and what is it being used for? Will it be for
self-knowledge, a presentation, a report, etc.
- Conduct a brainstorming session if possible.
- Write down all information which you might want to know. (Blackboard, notepad, computer, etc.)
- Write down all questions or ideas no matter how trivial or "stupid" they may seem at the time.
- Try to organize the questions into categories. (marketing, new products, etc.)
Questions usually asked in an
industry analysis (not all inclusive). Basic facts Current and future state of the
industry Determine possible limitations or
problems to conducting research if possible. 2A) DETERMINE SUBJECT
HEADINGS/KEYWORDS/INDUSTRY TERMINOLOGY
These can be time, money,
skill of researchers, availability of information. May
not be determinable until research is actually
conducted.
THESE ARE THE KEY TO UNLOCKING THE INFORMATION STORAGE
CLOSET!
Make sure to think broadly then later you can refine and narrow your search.
Use the language of the industry that you are researching. If unsure of terminology, consult dictionaries, encyclopedias, thesaurii or contact experts or personnel in the industry.
Use synonyms if possible.
Try breaking the question(s) down into their simplest and most basic components if possible.
An example is as follows: You are asked to find information about the automobile industry and upcoming regulatory or legislative issues which might impact the industry
Try the following possible subject headings after breaking down the question into simplest components:
AND laws OR legislation
OR regulation OR
legal 2B) MATCH QUESTIONS TO TYPES OF
SOURCES WHICH MAY PROVIDE ANSWERS
News Sources wire services, PR releases,
newspapers, magazines, trade publications Electronic Databases not usually free over the
Internet Government Sources local, state and federal levels. Also
foreign countries and international organizations Industry Associations promote, publish newsletters &
statistics, lobby concerning issues of interest to
membership especially legal or regulatory, set standards,
trade shows and conventions, directories of
members Experts can be used as consultants Listservs, discussion & usenet
groups often a place to check public opinion,
new trends & forecasts, find experts. "Take all with a
critical eye/ear". Good place to post questions, conduct
surveys, promote products, services, etc. Market Research Reports/Wall Street
Analyst Reports usually not found in entirety on Web.
Can be identified. Sometimes one can locate tables of
contents, some statistics and text. Usually
expensive. Trade Shows, Expos,
Conventions good place to make contacts, see new
products/services, concentrated audience, obtain trade
literature, attend discussions, training. See trends,
etc. Industry Specific
Directories Identify Companies, statistics,
associations, publications Media Source Directories/Media
Kits Identify industry specific
publications such as magazines, newsletters, directories.
Media kits give advertising/marketing information on a
particular publication including subscription info. ,
advertising rates and an editorial calendar. Also included
many times are profiles of readership, etc. Chambers of Commerce/Bds. of
Trade Sometimes have contacts, can arrange
meetings, etc. Dictionaries, encyclopedias,
thesaurii Can help define terms, give synonyms,
clarify concepts C) PRIORITIZE
QUESTIONS. 3) Conduct the
Research. a) Use a systematic
approach b) Locate and Examine
sources C) Gather information and
data D) Organize the information
/
4) Evaluate and
Synthesize a) Step back and examine the
information. 5) REFINE LIST OF SOURCES AND
SOLUTIONS 6) FORMAT THE
INFORMATION
Back to
top
Associations are often a valuable asset in finding information. They are usually made up of companies or individuals who have an interest in or are employees of a particular industry. they may also be made up of individuals who have a certain hobby, interest or avocation. Many of these associations publish statistics, reports and directories of membership, have annual meetings or trade shows and conventions, etc. They may also have strong lobbying representatives or interests so are aware of legal/regulatory issues which may effect their industry. Much of the information that they disseminate is free or of relatively low cost.
Many organizations will have a .org extension after their names if they have a website.You might if you already know the name of an organization try to search for it using Google, Excite, Yahoo, Northern Light or AltaVista
A wide range of information is published by various government bodies ranging from states to national and international governments and organizations. Some useful finding tools to this information may be found at the following sites.
Industries often have to abide by certain state and federal laws and regulations. If one knows what the current and possible future laws & regulations are, it may help in understanding and predicting how they might impact the industry. To help find these laws and regulations try some of the following:
It is sometimes useful to research public opinion on companies and competitors. These sites allow you to search newsgroups and some mailing lists for discussions about companies and their products.
The following links do not give actual reports, but identify companies which publish and distribute them.
Author: James
Bondra
Last updated on August 9, 2001
URL: http://www.bondra.com/indtraining.htm