Business Resources for the Undergraduate Business Program

This guide will help you navigate the rich assortment of business resources available at the Vanderbilt University Libraries. While some BUS or BUSA classes have course specific research guides, many do not. This guide highlights quality materials focused on specific business subjects and/or information types, such as company research (including financial data;) industry information; marketing and market research; and business news. In addition, you will find information and help resources specific to specific databases, including the Bloomberg Terminal . 

Please feel free to contact us during your research process for additional help. If you've spent 30 minutes looking and not finding what you need, it's time to ask for assistance. Your librarian can be contacted by email, or you can schedule an appointment for a mutually convenient time via the links at the bottom left of this page.

Doing business research is different than other types of academic research because of the unique nature of information and data in the field, along with the needs of the business researcher. Business information generally needs to up to the minute (current) and from a reliable source. 

Thinking about the types of business information available will help you determine the best resources for your research needs. Types and producers of business information include: 

• Analyst reports 
• SEC Filings 
• Financial data
• SWOT analysis
• PEST/PESTLE reports
• Annual reports 
• Journal articles 
• Market research reports
• News articles
• Trade publications
• White/grey literature from "thought leaders" and associations
• Government reports, data and documentation
• Industry reports
• Industry experts
• Trade or professional association