Category: databases & e-resources

Database of the Month: Value Line Investment Survey

Kimberly

VLLogo

Value Line has been a reliable authority in unbiased financial information since 1931. The mission of Value Line is… “to provide investors with the most accurate and independently created research information available, in any format they choose, and teach them how to use it effectively to help meet their financial objectives.”

Value Line’s showcase publication is The Value Line Investment Survey®  which is a highly regarded and widely used independent investment research resource. Published weekly, it tracks approximately 1,700 stocks in over 90 industries and ranks those stocks on Timeliness™ and Safety™.

To access the Value Line Investment Survey:

  • Start at the Library’s Databases A to Z listing.
  • Select ValueLine Research Center.
  • Hover over Research Hub in the bar at the top middle of the page.
  • Click on Investment Survey which is listed under Stocks.
  • In the left column, under Investment Survey, [see screenshot]

LookupVL

  • choose Lookup Company and search for a company by ticker symbol or name,

– OR –

  • choose Lookup Industry and browse an alphabetical listing of the industries Value Line provides information for.
  • Access the reports in either PDF or HTML format.

 

Learn More and Get Help

This excellent “Getting Started” handout,  as well as other helpful literature, is available in the Investment Education section of this database.

———————————————

Database of the Month provides a very brief introduction to an important research database, highlighting key features of the database that you should know about. If you would like more information about this database (or any of the library’s databases) please Ask a Librarian. If you would like a demonstration of this database for a class, please contact our Coordinator of User Education, Elizabeth Galoozis.

Database of the Month: Forrester Research

Stephen

forrester

Forrester Research is a research and advisory firm serving professionals in three distinct client segments, business technology, marketing and strategy, and the technology industry.  Forrester provides coverage of 13 different “roles” including Customer Experience, Application Development & Delivery, Enterprise Architecture, and Analyst Relations.

The Bentley Library provides access to over 11,000 Forrester reports.  Reports are graphic rich and all tabular data can be downloaded as standalone slides or included in the PDF or ZIP format of each individual report.   Each proprietary report is prepared by a Forrester analyst.   All reports have author provided tags so users can quickly access like content from Forrester.  Forrester has over 100 analysts covering all of Forrester’s content areas, with many analysts updating blog content on a regular basis.

Forrester’s Advanced Search feature allows users to search by full-text, report summary, title, and tables and charts.  Search results can be refined by Forrester Analyst, role characteristic, region, and industry.  Recently Forrester has created “Playbooks” that organize reports based on content across all roles.  Playbook frameworks guide critical decisions with integrated reports, tools, and insight, designed for business technology professionals, marketing and strategy professionals, and technology industry professionals.

Forrester Research is available to all current Bentley students, faculty and staff.  A link to Forrester can be found on the Bentley Library’s databases page (http://library.bentley.edu/research/databasesaz.asp).  Graduate and undergraduate students who wish to access Forrester should contact the Reference Desk at refdesk@bentley.edu or 781.891.2302 to be provided with credentials for one of the Library’s shared accounts.  Faculty, staff and PhD students are eligible to have individual Forrester accounts and should contact Stephen Tracey (stracey@bentley.edu) to learn more about accessing Forrester Research.

Database of the Month: Books & Authors

Macee

booksandauthorssmaller

Back in January of this year, I set a goal to read 50 books by December 31. I’m currently reading book #42, and the end of the year is looming (guess I shouldn’t have taken on an 800-page book last month!). Though I’m a librarian who works with books every day, it has sometimes been challenging to find the next interesting book to spend time with. If you find yourself wondering what your next book will be, I invite you to check out the discovery database Books & Authors, a great source for fiction and nonfiction titles and author information.

Search and Browse for Books

Search the database for books by title, keyword, author and/or series by using the search box near the top right side of the page. Use the Advanced Search to add in genre type.

menu

If you prefer a different approach, click the links for browsing titles or authors to get alphabetical lists of books, or browse genres to look at books by types including romance, Westerns, science fiction, and more. If you like to consult ready-made lists, Books and Authors offers links to lists of Expert Picks (themed lists chosen by subject experts and librarians), and Award Winners.

Once you find a title you like, click its link to find out more about the book, the author, a list of “readalike” books similar to the one you chose, and book reviews from major publications. Clicking on an author name brings up biographical information, a bibliography of the author’s writings, and other resources such as book reviews and Web sites.

Who, What, Where, When search result
Who, What, Where, When search result

Who? What? Where? When?

Use the Who? What? Where? When? graphical visualization function to select Character, Subject, Location, or Time Period (choose up to three) to show your search results as a Venn diagram. The more that your selections intersect, the better they match the inquiry. (One of the 54 titles that contains all three elements of the search to the right is Code Name Verity, #10 on my reading list.)

Read-a-Like Wizard

The Read-a-Like Wizard enables you to search for books similar to ones you’ve read. Enter the title of a book you’ve enjoyed, and the wizard will find similar books.

My Reading Room

My Reading Room allows you to save lists of titles and/or authors for later reference. Register for a free account and log in to create lists of books you’d like to read, books in an author’s series, or any combination you can think of. You can also rate and write reviews of books you’ve already read.

Learn More and Get Help

Visit the Help page for assistance with search tips, discovery tools, and My Reading Room. Books & Authors is also available on the library’s Databases A-Z and Arts, Media and Literature pages.

———————————————

Database of the Month provides a very brief introduction to an important research database, highlighting key features of the database that you should know about. If you would like more information about this database (or any of the library’s databases) please Ask a Librarian. If you would like a demonstration of this database for a class, please contact our Coordinator of User Education, Elizabeth Galoozis.

Database of the Month: Gale Virtual Reference Library (GVRL)

Colleen

Gale Virtual Reference Library

What is Gale Virtual Reference Library?

The Gale Virtual Reference Library is a database of encyclopedias, almanacs, and specialized reference sources, searchable all at once. Think: authoritative and quick information for beginning your research.

When to Use Gale Virtual Reference Library (instead of Google or Wikipedia)

GRVL answers such questions as:

  • the percentage change of discretionary income in the Northeast from just before the onset of the 2008 recession as compared to the following year (ANSWER: consult GVRL’s American Incomes: Demographics of Who Has Money)
  • a brief biography of composer Leonard (actually Luis) Bernstein for a public speaking class (ANSWER: consult GVRL’s Baker’s Biographical Dictionary of Musicians)
  • the background of a particular ad campaign (ANSWER: consult GVRL’s Encyclopedia of Major Marketing Campaigns for a topical overview of – for example – Apple Computer’s Think Different ad campaign)

Think you need to trek to the library to consult a reference book, that dictionary or encyclopedia? Think again.

What Makes Gale Virtual Reference Library such a Great Resource?

With so many different titles all in one (searchable) spot, think of GVRL as your authoritative go-to source for learning introductory, general information about a wide range of topics. With full-text access to electronic reference books, including titles in the arts, business, the environment, history, literature, medicine, multicultural studies, geography, and science, GVRL should be your first stop in quick stats, fact checks, and topic overviews.

Sample Title List

Bentley Library’s subscription to Gale Virtual Reference Library comes with access to over 150 different titles (complete list here). Below are a few examples:

  • American Incomes: Demographics of Who Has Money
  • Encyclopedia of Gender in Media
  • Encyclopedia of Small Business
  • Guide to U.S. Foreign Policy
  • The Millennials: Americans Born 1977 to 1994
  • West’s Encyclopedia of American Law

Locating Information in Gale Virtual Reference Library

Simply browse reference titles from different subject areas on the home page and view an eBook without performing a search. Of course, if you’d prefer to enter a search term, there are both basic and advanced search options available.

Did you want to share what you found with others? Gale now offers InfoMarks functionality, allowing users to copy, bookmark, or email a persistent URL of nearly every page!

Final Notes

Librarians thought GVRL was such a fantastic resource that it was chosen as Library Journal’s Best Overall Database in 2012! Gale Virtual Reference Library is available through the Bentley Library’s Databases A to Z listing.

__________________________________

Database of the Month provides a very brief introduction to an important research database, highlighting key features of the database that you should know about. If you would like more information about this database (or any of the library’s databases) please Ask a Librarian. If you would like a demonstration of this database for a class, please contact our Coordinator of User Education, Elizabeth Galoozis.

New Database: Ancestry Library

Lisa

It just got much easier to do genealogical research at the Bentley Library! We are pleased to offer Ancestry® Library to the Bentley community. Discover your unique family history using the billions of historical documents available in this popular database.

Ancestry LibraryAncestry® Library is powered by Ancestry.com® and delivered by ProQuest. Ancestry® Library provides access to most of the content available to individual Ancestry.com® subscribers.  Some of the personalization options available to private subscribers are not available in the Library edition.

Inside Ancestry® Library

Content for Ancestry® Library is sourced from libraries, archives and special collections all over the world.  The database contains billions of records in censuses, vital records, immigration records, family histories, court and legal documents, directories, family and gravestone photos, and more.  Also included are an extensive collection of military records, and multimedia such as newsreels and maps.

typewriter-delivery
Louis A. Caulfield, 37 Belfort Street, Dorchester delivers a typewriter for Model Typewriter Inspection Co.  Taken on Boston Common / Lewis W. Hine / abt 1917. From: Ancestry.com. Library of Congress Photo Collection, 1840-2000 .

Historical Records

  • Birth, Marriage, & Death
  • Census & Voter Lists
  • Immigration & Travel
  • Military
  • Schools, Directories, & Church Histories
  • Tax, Criminal, Land, & Wills
  • Reference, Dictionaries, & Almanacs

Stories & Publications

  • Stories, Memories, & Histories
  • Newspapers
  • Periodicals & Magazines

Photos & Maps

  • Photos
  • Maps, Atlases, & Gazetteers

Learn More and Get Help

ProQuest has created a detailed online guide to the Ancestry® Library database. Learn about the various content categories contained within the database, get search tips, watch prerecorded webinars, view sample searches and print help guides  at http://proquest.libguides.com/ancestrylibraryedition.

Also available are a series of short training videos, including the “Basic Search” video shown below. The entire ProQuest Ancestry® Library YouTube Playlist is available at http://prq.st/ancestrylevideos.

Connect to Ancestry® Library

Ancestry® Library is available on the library’s Databases A-Z list and the History databases page. For further assistance using this database, please contact the Reference Desk.

__________________________________


Database of the Month provides a very brief introduction to an important research database, highlighting key features of the database that you should know about. If you would like more information about this database (or any of the library’s databases) please Ask a Librarian. If you would like a demonstration of this database for a class, please contact our Coordinator of User Education, Elizabeth Galoozis.

Database of the Month: PrivCo

Nicholas

PrivCo image

Trying to find financial information on private companies?  The Bentley Library has just added PrivCo, a database specializing in hard to find data on major private companies, to its growing list of electronic databases.  PrivCo provides access to detailed information on private company financials and revenues,  private merger and acquisition deals, private firm valuations,  private equity deals, venture capital fundings, private and family ownership breakdowns, bankruptcies, and restructurings. According to its website, PrivCo has reports on over 228,000 private companies, 12,500 private investors, 44,000 private merger and acquisition deals, and 37,000 VC funding rounds.

Searching

You can search for an individual company or investor directly by simply entering the name in the search box in the upper right corner of the screen.  If you want to generate a list of companies or investors that fit certain criteria, use the Advanced Search option.   In the Advanced Search option, you can limit your search for companies or investors by:

  • Region or industry
  • Annual revenues, growth rates, and total number of employees within a certain range
  • Investor type and preferred stage of investment
  • Deal size, funding round size, and total funding raised

PrivCo2

Company Information

The amount of information contained in a company report will vary depending on the company but often includes the following:

  • Business summary
  • Overview and corporate organization
  • Competitors & comparables
  • Ownership
  • Charts, financials, and statistics, including revenues, gross profits, total employees, productivity, and total locations
  • Detailed business description, including information on strategy, products, marketing, industry trends, history, and lawsuits and controversies.

Investor Information

The amount of information will also vary by investor but will most likely include the following:

  • Investor summary
  • Recent news, updates, and analysis
  • Investor overview
  • Investor contacts
  • Private deal history, including total deal amount

Knowledge Bank

PrivCo also has a section called the Knowledge Bank which is a repository of general information on private companies, private company valuation, mergers and acquisitions, private equity and venture capital, and bankruptcy and restructuring.  The entries in this section are detailed and extensive and are designed to help users navigate and understand the ins and outs of the private market.

PrivCo is available through the Bentley Library’s Databases A to Z listing.  For further assistance using the PrivCo, please contact the Reference Desk.

__________________________________

 

Database of the Month provides a very brief introduction to an important research database, highlighting key features of the database that you should know about. If you would like more information about this database (or any of the library’s databases) please Ask a Librarian. If you would like a demonstration of this database for a class, please contact our Coordinator of User Education, Elizabeth Galoozis.

Database of the Month: Statistical Abstract of the United States [New Database!]

Liz

The Statistical Abstract of the United States is back! You may or may not have noticed, but this vital resource is back from hiatus with a new online publisher and provider in ProQuest. (The Statistical Abstract was previously published by the U.S. Census Bureau.) This revived database will be invaluable to students in GB320, marketing classes, and anyone who needs hard-to-find statistics. For many topic areas, this is one of the only places you’ll find information brought together in such a succinct and organized way.

The Statistical Abstract answers such questions as:

  • How much crude oil and natural gas reserves are there in each state?
  • What percentage of children enrolled in preschool in 1970 versus 2010?
  • What was the trend in honey production over the last ten years?
  • How many businesses in the U.S. are owned by minorities and women?

You can get the answers to questions like these two ways: browsing or searching.

Browse

Use the 31 sections along the side to explore statistics in different topic areas, such as Health and Nutrition, or National Security and Veterans Affairs.  (Click on the image below to enlarge it.)

Once in a section, you can look through the list of tables available (which you might prefer if you’re used to the print version), or you can narrow down the list of tables by applying filters:

  • subject
  • data source
  • date
  • geography
  • how data is broken down (e.g., race, state, industry, or income)

Filters can then be easily removed by clicking the “x” next to them.

Search

You can also simply type in a search term, and use the same facets described in “Browse” to narrow your list of results. Below is an example of a search for the word “mortgage.” (Click on the image below to enlarge it.)

StatAb-mortgagesearch

Export

You can export entire sections or individual tables of data as Excel files or PDFs, including a citation generated for you in either MLA or APA format.

Further Information and Help

This online version of the Statistical Abstract is updated monthly. The library also collects the print edition of the Statistical Abstract, which is updated annually. Past versions – both print and electronic – can be accessed through the library’s catalog.

Click on “Guide to Statistical Sources” within the database to see a complete list of the Statistical Abstract’s data sources, from the U.S. government as well as private and international sources (for example, the UN Statistics Division and The Conference Board).

If you want to learn more, ProQuest has put together a great help guide to the new Statistical Abstract here: http://proquest.libguides.com/statisticalabstract

The Statistical Abstract is available through the Bentley Library’s Databases A to Z listing.  For further assistance using the Statistical Abstract, please contact the Reference Desk.
__________________________________

Database of the Month provides a very brief introduction to an important research database, highlighting key features of the database that you should know about. If you would like more information about this database (or any of the library’s databases) please Ask a Librarian. If you would like a demonstration of this database for a class, please contact our Coordinator of User Education, Elizabeth Galoozis.

Database of the Month: Cabell’s Directories

Hope Houston

Friends, Faculty, scholars, lend me your ears;

I come to praise Cabell’s, not to bury it.
The manuscript that scholars write lives after them;
The good is oft interred with their bones;
So let it be with Cabell’s.

Okay, now that I have your attention, dear faculty, I want to make sure you are familiar with Cabell’s Directories online, a database that is designed to help researchers match their manuscripts with scholarly journals.

Cabell's home page
Click to view larger image.

The Facts:

  • Founded in 1978
  • Indexes over 4,000 journals
  • Each entry includes:
    • Journal submission process
    • Manuscript topics
    • Manuscript style and length
    • Acceptance rate
    • Type of review
    • Number of external reviewers
    • Type of readership
    • Whether journal is indexed in JCR / ERIC
    • Website link

The Plusses:

  • One-stop shopping for publication information in the following disciplines:
    • Accounting
    • Economics and Finance
    • Management
    • Marketing
    • Educational Curriculum and Methods
    • Educational Psychology and Administration
    • Educational Technology and Library Science
    • Psychology and Psychiatry
    • Computer Science
  • Continuously updated
  • Off-campus access
  • Unlimited simultaneous users

The Minuses:

  • Undesirable color scheme
  • Podcasts may or may not be useful to new researchers and Ph.D. students
  • Facebook and LinkedIn pages not very informative, or fun
  • Not obvious where to begin

Cabell's log-in
Click on [Member Area] to begin your search.
Cabell’s Directories is available through the Bentley Library’s Databases A to Z listing.  For further assistance using Cabell’s, please contact the Reference Desk.

———————————————

Database of the Month provides a very brief introduction to an important research database, highlighting key features of the database that you should know about. If you would like more information about this database (or any of the library’s databases) please Ask a Librarian. If you would like a demonstration of this database for a class, please contact our Coordinator of User Education, Elizabeth Galoozis.