Database of the Month: Best's Library Center

Best’s Library Center provides in-depth reports and analysis for United States, Canadian and international insurers, reinsurers, and groups.

Searching and Viewing Reports

From the Bentley Library Databases A-Z page, use the Best’s Library Center link to access the database. The database offers multiple ways to search, including clicking the report buttons (shown above), or by hovering on the page’s blue Navigation bar to choose a search. Some of the navigation bar searches are highlighted below:

  • Access Best’s Credit Reports and Financial Reports quickly by using the Insurance Reports page. The global organization structures presented on this page include ultimate parents, rating units and their rated operating entities. Best’s Credit Reports feature five years of financial analysis and detailed commentary on a company’s operating methods and management philosophy.
  • Use the Company Browse feature to search for companies based on geographic location, industry or segment.
  • Search Company Overview (Basic Search) and view features such as a dashboard for each company, key financial information at a glance, ratings, and related news headlines.
  • Use the Corporate Changes Search to find changes that impact existing companies and locate insurers associated with companies no longer in business.
  • Use the Officers and Directors Search to locate companies based on management information.
  • Access the Mergers & Acquisitions Search to retrieve details of transactions involving insurance companies.

Alternately, users can type a company name in the search box located in the upper left corner of the home page to get a dashboard view of all available information on that company.

Sample dashboard view for State Farm Group, with tabs containing available information

Country Risk Reports

The database also includes Country Risk Reports detailing country-specific factors that could adversely affect an insurer’s ability to meet its financial obligations. Countries are placed into one of five tiers, ranging from Country Risk Tier 1 (CRT-1), denoting a stable environment with the least amount of risk, to Country Risk Tier 5 (CRT-5) for countries that pose the most risk and, therefore, the greatest challenge to an insurer’s financial stability, strength and performance. Users can view all countries or groups of countries by tier.

Get Help/Support

Click the Quick Tips PDF links located on each search page for context-specific help, or the Help link in the upper right corner of the home page for an overview of database features and search functionality. If you prefer, Bentley librarians can assist you. See our Bentley Library Research Help page for details.

Connect to the Database

Please visit our Databases A-Z page and click Best’s Library Center to begin your search (after agreeing to the User Terms and Conditions). This database can also be viewed in the Analyst Opinion, Company Profiles, Country Research, and International Business subject lists on the A-Z page. For best results, use Internet Explorer or Google Chrome. Browser cookies must be enabled for searches to function.

Database of the Month provides a very brief introduction to useful library databases, highlighting key features you should know about. If you would like more information about this resource (or any of the library’s databases), please contact us for research assistance. If you would like a demonstration of these resources for a class, please schedule a research instruction class using the instruction request form.

Getting Started with CQ Researcher

CQ Researcher shines a bright light on the significance and impact of current-day issues. 

The “CQ” in their name stands for “Congressional Quarterly” which began as Editorial Research Reports in 1923, co-founded by Richard M. Boeckel and Bertram Benedict. It was primarily for the benefit of journalists and editorial writers, covering the U.S. Congress after World War I. Boeckel realized how little he and his fellow reporters knew about the background of the issues they were following on Capitol Hill, so they formed a publication. It has evolved into CQ Researcher today, and reaches a very broad online audience. It’s a library favorite.    

CQ Researcher offers excellent insight into current events and always links to rich additional readings such as government reports, meeting minutes, articles, and news. Users most frequently work with CQ Researcher for assignments in global studies, comparative government, history, and expository writing. Here is a small sample of the questions that CQ Researcher answered for users in Fall 2019: 

Q: I’m doing immigration and I want to compare U.S. to another nation.

Q: What are the pros and cons of prison rehabilitation programs?

Q: Who voted for and against the Whistleblowers protection act of 1989 when it was a bill?

CQ Researcher offers three types of reports: short, “hot topics” and long (12,000 words). Each report is on a single theme. 

“Hot Topics,” CQ’s most popular research topics

Sample search: Electoral college

Enter the keyword phrase “Electoral college” in the input box to fetch 43 pieces, including a well-developed, recent account of the issues surrounding state representation, popular vote, and first-past-the-post method to elect a U.S. President. CQ Researcher impressed us with its depth, thoroughness, and fact-checking in this report.

CQ Researcher does not contain reports on consumer segmentation or market demographics. It will, however, provide demographic information in the context of a larger report, for example, from the electoral college long report:  

“Current demographic trends likely will exacerbate this issue as more Americans move into urban and suburban areas  … That means, 30 percent of Americans will select 70 percent of the senators  … Such demographic shifts will make ‘misfire’ presidential elections more likely.”

Price, T. (2019, August 30). The Electoral College. CQ Researcher, 29, 1-57. Retrieved from http://library.cqpress.com/

To select and pursue a subject

When a user is seeking a topic, we recommend the “Browse topics” feature highly. CQ Researcher has a main ribbon that enables users to navigate contents easily; activate the pull down menu under “Browse Topics” to display a list of 30+ topics. 

“Browse topics” menu display

If you already have a topic or your idea does not appear under their pre-made categories, use the input box at top right of the home page. In the case of cybersecurity, which is found under Science & technology > Computers > cybersecurity, we found it best to search CYBER directly in this input box, rather than looking at several sub-menus.

CQ Researcher provides visually strong, easy-to-interpret, images and charts. Notice they have high resolution photographs, as well.

Strong chart quality, using explanatory text about its intent, and clear legend at the bottom.

Structured arguments

Users can expect to read well-documented arguments written by seasoned journalists. Debaters will love reading talking points in the Pro/Con section, and for any who want to form research questions, the predictions in each long report’s “Outlook” section are especially helpful.  

Pro-con section of a long report on the EU.

In each report, embedded links direct the user to more readings, making the discovery process efficient and highly relevant. References listed in CQ Researcher are reliably on-topic and useful. Reports are available to download in PDF format.

Connect to the Database

Visit the library’s Databases A-Z page, activate the CQ Researcher link, and begin!


Database of the Month provides a very brief introduction to a useful website or Library database, highlighting key features you should know about. If you would like more information about this resource (or any of the library’s databases), please contact us for research assistance. If you would like a demonstration of this resource for a class, please schedule a research instruction class using the instruction request form.

Database of the Month: BioCentury

Five BioCentury publications are available to you through the library: BioCentury, BioCentury Innovations, BioCentury Extra, and BioCentury Weekly. Interdisciplinary, industry relevant, and unique, the content is created by BioCentury Analysts and commands steep prices as Business Intelligence, not only in BioPharma, but in any activity where science, technology, and commerce meet. Learn about how Machine Learning and VC Funding is speeding up drug development and time to market, new reimbursement methods lowering costs of drugs for insurers, and the political and business interests driving this innovation, several months before you read about it in The Wall Street Journal and Financial Times

In fact, BioCentury publications focus on the innovation ecosystem by covering the entire value chain of pharmaceuticals, from human biology and research, to drug development and manufacturing, to regulation and patient outcomes. Boston is one of the two top Biotech hubs (the other San Francisco) and anyone looking to take advantages of the opportunities offered in this area should make BioCentury their daily reading since it’s what senior executives, investors, and policy makers base their decisions on.

Excerpt:

The publications are made more navigable through categories that take you directly to articles relevant to your need or interest.

You can easily access the library’s BioCentury publications by using the link on our Databases A-Z page.  Do not sign in or pay for content unless you wish to purchase it for sharing and download. 


Database of the Month provides a very brief introduction to a useful website or Library database, highlighting key features you should know about. If you would like more information about this resource (or any of the library’s databases), please contact us for research assistance. If you would like a demonstration of this resource for a class, please schedule a research instruction class using the instruction request form.

Database of the Month: Ulrichsweb Global Serials Directory

Can’t tell what type of publication an article is from?

Want to verify if an article is from a peer reviewed journal?

Looking for publications in a certain subject area for publishing opportunities?

Ulrichsweb Global Serials Directory can help!

Ulrichsweb Global Serial Directory Logo

Ulrichsweb provides information on more than 300,000 journals, magazines, newspapers, and more from a wide range of subject areas. Simply enter the title of the periodical or the ISSN to start learning more. You can also search by keyword.

Ulrichsweb Search Box

Each record provides helpful information including:

  • Serial Type (Journal, Magazine, Newspaper, etc.)
  • Content Type (Academic/Scholarly, Trade, etc.)
  • Publisher information (including links to the publication’s website)
  • A brief description of the periodical and subjects it covers
  • Locations where articles in the publication are indexed/abstracted
Screenshot of Comparative Politics entry in Ulrichsweb

If an Academic/Scholarly journal is refereed that means it is peer reviewed!

Screenshot of Refereed Icon in Ulrichsweb

Start exploring Ulrichsweb Global Serials Directory by accessing the database from our Databases A-Z page.


Database of the Month provides a very brief introduction to a useful website or Library database, highlighting key features you should know about. If you would like more information about this resource (or any of the library’s databases), please contact us for research assistance. If you would like a demonstration of this resource for a class, please schedule a research instruction class using the instruction request form.

Database of the Month: The Case Journal

Business cases are vital resources in the general business curriculum and provide students with real-life scenarios often encountered in the business world. As experiential learning continues to occupy a larger role in business education, case studies serve as instructive examples of problem-solving approaches made by practitioners in the field.

Bentley library is pleased to announce the addition of The Case Journal (TCJ) to our already substantial collection of business case studies. TCJ is the official journal of The CASE Association, one of the most prominent case study organizations in the U.S., and contains peer-reviewed, factual teaching cases in the business and management disciplines. Articles about the case method of classroom instruction and the research and writing of cases are also included.

TCJ contains a growing collection of business case studies (300 to date).

Screenshot of The CASE Journal homepage.

There is an advanced search option to allow for customized searching by date and content type.

The CASE Journal Advanced Search screenshot.

Each case contains a case summary, information about the type of methodology employed in the study, the intended audience and themes, and assigned keywords.

Example Case summary page.

All cases are available in downloadable PDF format.


Database of the Month provides a very brief introduction to a useful website or library database, highlighting key features you should know about. If you would like more information about this resource (or any of the library’s databases), please contact us for research assistance. If you would like a demonstration of this resource for a class, please schedule a research instruction class using the instruction request form.

Database of the Month: Bloomberg Tax

Bloomberg Tax provides users with online access to statutes, regulations, tax codes, court cases, and expert analysis, articles, and commentary on tax planning. Practice tools such as tax prep guides, checklists, tax forms, and sample documents are included. Topic areas include Federal, State, and International.

Bloomberg Tax enables users to access the BNA Tax Management Portfolios. Tax Management Portfolios are an encyclopedic resource that provides detailed breakdowns of tax issues. Tax Management Portfolios index and provide full-text access to primary source materials that cover tax cases, regulations, and relevant statutes, and including links to the IRC. Bentley’s Bloomberg Tax subscription include BNA’s U.S. Income; Estates, Gifts & Trusts; and U.S. International portfolios.

The Federal section of Bloomberg Tax also includes a number of useful practices tools, from Federal tax forms and calculators to sample client letters, compliance statements, and transactional diagrams.

Those looking for primary and secondary resources related to state tax topics can use the State content area of Bloomberg Tax, to find expert analysis, including the BNA State Tax and Sales & Use Tax portfolios. As in the Federal content area of Bloomberg Tax, the State area provides practice tools that include state tax forms, client letters, and state tax diagrams. Primary source material in the State area includes statutes, regulations, and constitutions. For those who want to keep abreast of state tax topics can browse the News & Commentary section.

The International area of Bloomberg Tax provides expert analysis via the BNA International portfolios, which include Foreign Income, Country, and Transfer Pricing portfolios. Practice tools include Withholding Tax Chart and VAT jurisdictions. Primary source materials include tax treaties and transfer pricing portfolios.

Guides, Tutorials, and Help

For help using Bloomberg Tax please consult the database’s Help Center, download the Bloomberg Tax Quick Reference Card, or view Bloomberg Tax’s video tutorials. Reference librarians can provide research assistance in person at the Reference Desk and via email, phone (781.891.2300) and chat.


Database of the Month provides a very brief introduction to a useful website or library database, highlighting key features you should know about. If you would like more information about this resource (or any of the library’s databases), please contact us for research assistance. If you would like a demonstration of this resource for a class, please schedule a research instruction class using the instruction request form.

Database of the Month: Academic OneFile

Academic OneFile is a multidisciplinary database providing millions of articles from scholarly journals and other authoritative sources with extensive coverage in key subject areas, such as biology, chemistry, criminal justice, economics, environmental science, history, marketing, political science, and psychology.

To make the most of this database, view the Resource Guide (3 pages in pdf)

In addition here are three tips for the Bentley researcher: Topic Finder, Word Count and Cite.

1. Topic Finder:

Use to generate a visual representation of your search results by topic and subtopic. Topic Finder organizes results based on the frequency of occurring terms, allowing you to hone in on targeted keywords, envision connections between topics, and create new research paths. Use Topic Finder if you’re having trouble coming up with a research topic, when you have an idea for a topic and want to investigate related topics, or when you want to narrow your search results.

Read More

Database of the Month: Academic Video Online

Bentley Library is pleased to announce an addition to our streaming film database collection! Along with Films on Demand, Kanopy, and Swank, we have just added Academic Video Online from Proquest. AVO is curated for an academic audience and contains a wide range of US and international films on subjects including business, counseling, history, language learning, music, and more. Formats include plays, documentaries, feature films, and US government content from major distributors including CNN, BBC, Dow Jones, and Sony Pictures Classics.

Browsing and Searching

Users can browse by channel type

and search by keyword and filter results based on subject, publisher, person, content type and release date.

Playback

When viewing a film in AVO, there are a number of features to enhance the viewing experience.

Among them:

  • Full transcription
  • Film details, including a synopsis
  • Clip feature that allows users to create clips of the film to share
  • Option to share as a direct link or embed into Blackboard
  • Citation tool for MLA, APA, and Chicago formats
  • Closed captioning for accessibility purposes
  • Mobile playback on all iOS and Android devices.

Getting Help

Be sure to visit the Help Page for tips on searching and browsing, citing and sharing, and information on technical requirements for optimal viewing.


Database of the Month provides a very brief introduction to a useful website or Library database, highlighting key features you should know about. If you would like more information about this resource (or any of the library’s databases), please contact us for research assistance. If you would like a demonstration of this resource for a class, please schedule a research instruction class using the instruction request form.