Business research is such an important component of business ownership because it helps to lay the foundation on which businesses stand as it relates to industry trends, opportunities, and best practices.

Business research is a type of research that is often intimidating due to a number of factors, including the difficulty in finding reputable sources, the fact that it may be time-consuming, and that it’s sometimes hard to decide where to start. All of these factors can be true in some instances, but knowing generally what you’re looking for and where to look for credible information are the first two steps of beginning business research that will yield accurate information. 

The Business Resource and Innovation Center at the Free Library of Philadelphia uses 13 specialized business databases to conduct business research on topics ranging from market research and demographic/target market research to creating business-to-business and business-to-consumer sales lists and competitive analyses. As complex as this may sound, these designated databases aid researchers in accessing relevant, accurate business information that allows business owners to make informed decisions. We have chosen five of our most utilized business databases to highlight, and we’ve created guided introductions to each of them to assist researchers in navigating and creating customized searches to assist in research efforts. The five databases we have chosen to highlight are listed below.
 

Happy researching!