For students, I can:

• Recommend the best business databases to search for your research topic
• Answer your questions via email, phone or in-person
• Meet with you individually or in groups to hash out your topic or discuss business research strategies
• Tell you about library services

For faculty, I can:

• Track down tricky citations
• Introduce your students to research tools and strategies via a workshop
• Create a webpage tailored to your class assignment
• Discuss ways to best incorporate research skills and library materials into your class assignments
• Meet with your students individually or in groups
• Purchase books and other material needed for your research
• Tell you about new library services
• Communicate the department's concerns and information needs on to others in the Libraries

You have an idea for a new product or service.  You want to start a business that combines your passion with your education.  You need to develop a marketing plan for a company.  In each of these instances you need to research the industry.  Business owners must understand the industries in which they operate to ensure success. The financial health of a business is usually a reflection of the health of the industry; therefore, by conducting an industry analysis, business owners can create a strategy that's more likely to help the business grow and succeed.  Or, if you are interested in an industry and want to do an industry analysis, this is the place to be.

This guide leads you through the steps of industry research and provides links to online sources of information and titles and call numbers for print sources.

If, after doing an industry analysis, you decide to proceed with starting a business in Washington State review the Business Organizations part of Sources of Free Legal Information on Washington State Law.  You will find links to information on starting a business in Washington State, changing business status, growing a business, licenses & permits, hiring & managing employees, taxes, doing business with the state, and finding laws & regulations.

Market Research, Industry Research, Business Research: How to Learn about an Industry or a Specific Company.

Starting & Managing a Business.  U.S. Small Business Administration. 

How to Conduct an Industry Analysis.  North Carolina Small Business and Technology Development Center.

SBDCNet.  Small Business Development Centers.

WSU WorldCat.  Lists books and other resources owned by WSU and other libraries as well as journal articles.

Griffin Catalog.  Lists books and other resources owned by WSU as well as journal titles.  Does not provide access to journal articles by topic.