Database of the Month: Gale EBooks

Gale EBooks is an excellent assist for online education, especially for those working remotely. Instructors can embed content on a website or in a Blackboard site. Gale EBooks needs no special downloads or apps, making it a friendly resource for various types of device and student skill levels. There is no limit to the number of people who can view the item at one time, and users can access the book without a checkout. 

The best description for how to use Gale EBooks for learning online is found in the library’s guide for online library resources in teaching.

Strong content

Gale EBooks supports Bentley’s business curriculum by offering valuable books such as “Encyclopedia of Global Brands“, which reveals how more than 200 products originated and were first marketed, and Market Research Reporter: Trends Over Time”, useful for market segment research. Gale EBooks is great for choosing expository writing topics or researching history; Gale EBooks supports transgender research and gender related studies. Users can also find ample material to research film or business ethics topics.   

Get started with Gale EBooks

Say a student is interested in researching race and college athletes. Because Gale EBooks is a large collection of digital reference books, let’s search Race and NCAA and use 2-3 keywords at once to produce a succinct result set. A simple search for the word “race” alone yields 6,000+ titles on subjects ranging from ethnicity, race in video games, race and identity, nonwhite racial status, immigration, workplace diversity, all interesting, but much more than needed.

result set for "race and NCAA" search in Gale EBooks
result set for race and NCAA search

A quick review of the student’s results for the Race and NCAA search showcases the depth and breadth of Gale EBooks. Entries are authoritative, reliable, and on-topic, and they are explained with helpful images and uncomplicated vocabulary.

We discover, among many others, an appealing entry called “Race and Sport, North America” by author James R. Coates Jr., published in Sports Around the World: History, Culture, and Practice (Vol. 3: Latin America and North America. ). 

book entry for "Race and Sport, North America"
inside an entry in Gale EBooks

Logical controls

Looking inside that entry, there are logical controls users will recognize from other e-book platforms. Let’s walk through some of the features more closely to appreciate their convenience:

  1. Listen: Gale EBook platforms provide accessible audio for many entries to advance users who prefer to absorb information by hearing. To activate the listen feature, the cursor must be within the article.
  2. Save to cloud: Google Drive and OneDrive both connect seamlessly.
  3. Email
  4. Download
  5. Print:  This helps answer the question “Can I download/print/email/save an eBook or eBook chapter?” with a “Yes!”
  6. “Further reading”: this feature in Gale EBooks enhances the learning experience and offers options to support debate, check facts, sound the depths of an issue, analyze history, and more.
  7. Cite: Citations are quick and user can select between MLA, APA, Chicago style.
create a citation
copy/paste the citation for your works cited list

Connect to the database

Begin your next search by using the link for Gale EBooks on the library’s Databases A-Z page. Gale EBooks requires current Bentley credentials (email address and password) for off-campus use.


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.

Database of the Month: Salem Press

Salem Press is a collection of online reference books published by Salem Press, Grey House Publishing, and H. W. Wilson. These 150+ titles provide excellent overviews and set the stage for successful research projects.

Why use Reference Books?

Locating background information in subject specific encyclopedias and other reference resources will help you put information in context.

  • Get an overview of the subject.
  • Note key concepts/developments.
  • Identify significant authors.
  • See a chronology/timeline.
  • Develop a list of search terms.
  • Obtain primary sources.
  • Use the bibliographies to locate other information on your topic.

The Salem Press database is divided into five categories: LiteratureHistoryScienceHealth and Careers.

Researchers can keyword search the whole platform, the individual categories, or just search a specific title.  Clicking the Filter By arrow provides more control over what and where you search.

Unsure of what keywords to choose? Browse a category to a specific title and use the table of contents to help narrow a topic or find additional keywords or the names of significant authors to search.

Need a primary source for a history paper? There is a wealth of primary sources included in the titles on this platform.

Three titles of particular interest right now are:

Staff Favorites

In addition, to the titles highlighted above, our reference librarians have a few additional favorites to share:

Macee’s pick is Masterplots (2011). This fourth edition of Masterplots provides information about English-language and world literature published up to 2010. Each entry includes a synopsis of the story, a critical evaluation essay and suggested further readings.

Dominique’s pick is the “H. W. Wilson: The Reference Shelf” series which provides big picture overviews of topics of current interest such as “Rethinking Work” and “New Frontiers in Space”.

My pick is The Value of a Dollar, 1860—2019 which is a great source for not only seeing price differences of specific consumer goods but also differences in salaries and awards over time. Here are some examples of the kind of information available in this resource:

  • In 1915, a Goodrich Stag golf ball cost $0.29, which equates to $7.30 today’s dollars, and in 2019, a Bridgestone Tour B XS golf ball costs $3.74. (Golf ball, 2019)
  • In 1934, Horton Smith won $1,500 at the Master’s, which equates to $28, 295 in today’s dollars, and Tiger Woods won $2,090,000 in 2019. (Golf Master championship earnings, 2019)

The Value of a Dollar as well as all the other recommended resources above help to give information context. As you incorporate these resources into your papers, remember to cite it right. Salem Press helps by including a citation for each source in MLA 8th, APA 7th, and CMOS 17th format.

If you would like more information about any of these titles, the Salem Press database or recommendations for your specific research needs, please contact a Reference Librarian.


Reference List

Golf ball. (2019). In S. Derks (Ed.), The value of a dollar, 1860—2019. Salem Press. https://online.salempress.com

Golf Master champions earnings. (2019). In S. Derks (Ed.), The value of a dollar, 1860—2019. Salem Press. https://online.salempress.com


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.

Database of the Month: D&B Hoovers

D&B Hoovers is a robust source of information about U.S. and international companies and industries and their executives and employees. Primarily marketed in the business sector as a sales prospecting database for its excellent list-building and filtering features, academic users and others can also conduct company and industry research, find news, and read reports related to forecasting and trends.

Sales Prospects and Management

Managing current sales accounts and finding new leads is easy with the depth of business intelligence that D&B Hoovers provides. Browse all news items and “triggers” related to specific types of events for clients and prospects, or assemble lists of companies and contacts. Research industries and read analysts’ reports to learn about forecasts and trends. Compile and “pin” lists and reports for easy temporary access, and download reports in CSV format to your computer for later use. *Please note: Pinned items are only saved to the desktop for the length of your session. Sessions are subject to a 30-minute timeout once idle.

Company and Industry Research

D&B Hoovers is ideal for users who need in-depth business information for business research, papers and projects, or investment decisions. Look here for the following:

  • Company and industry profiles
  • Company news
  • “Triggers”: events such as product launches and lawsuits
  • Employee contact information
  • Analysts’ reports
  • Market research reports
  • SEC filings
  • SWOT analyses

Global Search Box: Quick Search

Use the box at the top of the page to choose a search index and enter a quick search (company name, industry type, and others). Once you have a list of results, click the desired company title link to view pre-composed summary information, financials, analyst reports, and more. Build a customized report of these elements by clicking the OneStop link to choose elements from the gray box shown below; the database will compile the results and deliver a PDF document to your desktop.

Search and Build: Use Filters to Customize

Start with the Search & Build a List tab to assemble your own detailed lists of companies, industries, contacts and more, using over 175 search filters to build a list that precisely meets your needs. As you add or remove filters, the results list updates automatically. The search below shows companies in the film industry that are headquartered in California, that also appear in a News search with the word “animation.” Click the Download button to send an Excel or CSV file to your desktop.

Get Help/Support

Click the question mark icon in the upper right corner of the home page and check the Page Help section to find short video tutorials and other support materials. Consult the Getting Started Guide and/or the full D&B Hoovers User Guide to learn about even more functionality. Bentley librarians are also available to assist you; see our Bentley Library Research Help page for details.

Connect to the Database

Please visit our Databases A-Z page and click D&B Hoovers to begin your search. This database can also be viewed within the Analyst Opinion, Company Research, Industry Research, and International Business subject lists on the A-Z page.


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.

Database of the Month: PrivCo

PrivCo is an indispensable tool for company and industry research.  Its primary focus is on private, public, and foreign companies in specialized industries like On-Demand Services, e.g. Grubhub, DoorDash, or Transferwise.    

What sets it apart from other company directories are the up-to-date funding and M&A histories, which are cross-listed with company and investor profiles directly on PrivCo. 

company profile for GrubHub

The company overviews are concise and state the company’s business and all the industries it operates in.  Furthermore, the organization information is current and accurate.  For example, Takeaway.com BV, a Dutch online food delivery marketplace, bought Grubhub in June 2020.  Accordingly, PrivCo gives Takeaway.com BV as its parent.  In other company directories, Grubhub Inc. is still given as the parent.  Former names are given too, e.g. Grubhub Seamless, which aid in researching the company history on our other databases such as Nexis Uni.

Industry classifications do not capture the dynamism of companies operating across boundaries.  To that end, PrivCo traces connections between companies through its crowdsourced keywords describing the new demands and opportunities companies are pursuing.  In one snapshot, the keywords capture the diversity of a company like Amazon and link you to its competitors. 

industry description and keywords for Amazon

Those same keywords can also be your starting point to find companies and investors on PrivCo.  In the Search feature, you can look up existing keywords for those entities.  The Search feature also allows you to select specialized industries, focus on specific geographic regions, and specify ranges for revenue, revenue growth, employees, employee growth, funding, and founding years.  You can also limit your search to companies backed by Private Equity or Venture Capital. 

PrivCo search feature

Below the Search feature, A 100+ page Knowledge Bank lays out important industry terms and meanings for you to interpret content.  Above the Search feature, PrivCo’s Dashboard you can view updates for M&A deals, funding, and specialized industries. 

PrivCo dashboard

Industry convergence defines business today, and PrivCo is the tool to learn about the companies making it happen. 


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.

Fall 2020 Library Opening: Know Before You Go!

Welcome back, Falcons! The library will provide services and resources online during the first week of classes. Our doors will open to the Bentley community on Tuesday, September 8.  Below are important things to know about the library’s operations this fall trimester. For more detailed information, FAQs, and to check for updates, visit the Back to the Bentley Library guide.

Key Opening Dates

For detailed hours information, including virtual Reference Desk hours, view the library hours calendar.

Monday, August 31 –
Friday, September 4
Online services and resources only
Saturday, September 5 –
Monday, September 7
Labor Day holiday: All online help services closed
Tuesday, September 8Library building opens

Visiting the Bentley Library (starting Tuesday, September 8)

  • The library is operating in accordance with state and university COVID-19 public health guidelines. All library users and staff are required to wear face coverings, maintain 6 feet physical distance, and practice hand hygiene. Please perform your daily health self-check and stay home if you have any symptoms of COVID-19.
  • The library is instituting card swipe access this trimester. All Bentley students, faculty and staff will need to swipe a current Bentley ID at the main entrance to enter the building.
  • Building occupancy will be limited and monitored. Due to the occupancy limits, we ask that you please be courteous to others and mindful of your time in the library. Do not leave any personal belongings in the building, as you may not be able to re-enter to get them if we are at capacity.
  • Disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer are available throughout the library. Please wipe down any shared surfaces before and after you use them.
  • Food is prohibited in the library until further notice.

Study Rooms and Spaces

  • The library’s study rooms are subject to reduced capacity and physical distancing guidelines. Many study rooms are limited to single occupancy; some of the larger rooms accommodate two people. Please check the occupancy sign posted on each room. Study rooms are available on a first come, first served basis. Reservations are not available.
  • Furniture has been removed and rearranged to ensure proper physical distancing. In areas where furniture has not been reconfigured (e.g. study rooms), signage will clearly indicate the allowable occupancy.
  • Face coverings are required in all library spaces at all times, including in study rooms, study carrels and pods, and at study tables.

Borrowing Library Materials and Using Course Reserves

  • The library’s stacks are open and you may browse without restrictions while maintaining proper physical distance.
  • To minimize face-to-face interactions, we request that you use the library’s self-check machine to check out your items.
  • Please return your library items in the book return drop, located at the main entrance.
  • Returned items will be quarantined for a period of 3 days before being re-shelved or checked out to anyone else. The exception to this policy is Course Reserves, which circulate in-house for short periods of time. In order to ensure that all students have timely access to Reserves materials, they will not be quarantined. We remind you to wash your hands before and after using all library materials.

Online Resources and Research Help

Whether you are near or far, the library website—library.bentley.edu—is your portal to accessing online library services and resources.

  • Your Bentley email address and password grant you remote access to most library databases and electronic resources.
  • Research assistance will be provided online throughout the trimester. Reference Librarians are available to help via live chat, email (refdesk@bentley.edu), and text (781.728.0511). You can also book an appointment for a research consultation via Zoom. Virtual Reference Desk hours and contact information are posted on the Research Help page.
  • Librarians have created research guides for popular topics and specific classes such as GB112 and GB214. The guides are a great help in getting started when doing research for projects and papers.
  • The library provides free subscriptions to The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and the Financial Times online. Visit the Current News guide for registration details.

See more details about remote library services and resources at Getting Starting @ the Bentley Library – Online!

Computers & Printers

Computers and printers (color and B&W) are available for you to use if you need one. To install the Bentley print drivers on your laptop, visit the Falcon Printing website. You will also find information about printing funds and costs on that site.

Get Updates

Don’t forget to follow @BentleyLibrary on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for updates, news, events, and photos.

We look forward to seeing you—whether in person or online—this trimester! If you have questions, please reach out to us. We are here to help.

Databases of the Month: eBook Collections

This August we want to highlight our eBook collections as our Database of the Month to let you know about some of the resources that we have available that you can access anywhere. Our eBook collections contain a wide variety of materials including academic/scholarly titles, popular fiction and nonfiction books, and technical guides.

Bentley students, faculty, and staff just need their Bentley email address and password to begin accessing the resources in these collections both on and off campus.

While some of our eBooks can be found by doing a search in the Bentley Library Catalog, searching directly on the platforms will be your best opportunity to discover all that these databases have to offer.

Here are some of our most popular eBook collections:

OverDrive

Screenshot of OverDrive homepage.

OverDrive contains thousands of popular fiction and nonfiction audiobooks and eBooks. The titles in this collection include bestsellers and award winners. Check out the books using your Bentley email address and password for up to 21 days. You can read or listen on your computer or take the books with you on the go by downloading the Libby or OverDrive apps to your mobile device. Visit our OverDrive guide for more information.

Ebook Central (ProQuest)

ProQuest Ebook Central homepage screenshot including main search box.

Ebook Central from ProQuest contains academic and scholarly titles in the humanities, sciences, and social sciences. Books in this collection can be read directly in your browser — no checkout necessary! Some books in this collection allow unlimited access or may only allow 1-3 users to read a title at a time.

eBook Collection (EBSCOhost)

Screengrab of eBook Collection Highlights browsing menu with recent collection additions.

Books from EBSCO’s eBook Collection are read in your browser. Search the collection for books in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences. Each book will let you know how many users can access a book at the same time (1, 3, or unlimited users).

Books 24×7 (Skillport)

Screenshot of the Books24x7/Skillport homepage.

If you’re looking for books related to business and IT, check out our Books 24×7 collection, a part of the Skillport platform. Topics covered include management, finance, wellness, and productivity. Software guides are also available in this collection for applications such as SAS and SPSS. In addition to books, the Skillport platform also provides educational videos. Books can be read directly on the Skillport platform.

Safari Books Online: Tech Books

Screenshot of the homepage of the O'Reilly platform, host of the Safari Tech Books.

Part of the O’Reilly platform, Safari Books are a valuable resource for anyone interested in technology and business. Find guides for various software and applications on this platform.

View the full list of databases that contain eBooks for more information.


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.

Analyzing the Impact of COVID-19 on Consumers, Markets & Industries

Many of the library’s business research databases are publishing special analysis of the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic on consumers, markets, and industries. Below is a roundup of key resources providing unique and timely content to keep you up-to-date and well informed.

Search tip: Look for a special COVID-19 link, button, icon or banner on the landing page of each database to be directed to their collection of COVID-19 insights, analysis and statistics. Then, conduct keyword searches in the databases to search for additional information.


eMarketer
Database focus: digital marketing, advertising, and media; retail and e-commerce; social media; mobile technology; and consumers. Global coverage.

Examples of recent reports, analysis, and charts: US Consumer Confidence Amid the Coronavirus Pandemic | Bored At Home: US Consumers May Be Eyeing New Subscription Services | Telemedicine Could Be More Widely Adopted Due to the Coronavirus | Coronavirus Impact: Expected Post-Outbreak Vacation Behaviors Among US Internet Users


Euromonitor Passport
Database focus: Global economic, industry and consumer research, data and analysis.

Examples of recent reports and analysis: Coronavirus Price and Availability Tracker | Coronavirus Economic Scenarios | The Impact of Coronavirus on Luxury Goods | Coronavirus Outbreak to Accelerate Household Wellness Trends | Coronavirus Impact on Consumer Payments.


Forrester Research
Database focus: impact of technology on consumers, customer experience, marketing, and business strategy.

Examples of recent insights and reports: Redesign Physical Spaces Now in Response to COVID-19 | Improve Customer Experience in Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic | US Shopper Insights and the Impact of COVID-19 as of Early April 2020 | Base Your Marketing Priorities During COVID-19 on Your Company’s Context


Gartner Group Resources
Database focus: IT-related topics and technology, business and management insights.

Examples of recent articles, insights, and reports: Consumer COVID-19 Concerns Tracker | Redeployment of Employees During Times of Disruption Into Agile Teams | Focus on Virtual Customer Engagement to Maintain Effectiveness During the COVID-19 Pandemic | 9 Questions to Measure Employee Engagement During Disruptions


IBISWorld Industries and Markets
Database focus: US Industry reports (including a wide variety of specialized industries), Business Environment Reports, and selected Global Industry reports

Examples of recent insights and on-demand webinars: Will Working from Home Remain? | Webinar: COVID-19 & the Accounting Industry | Industry Impacts of Social Distancing

Note: Individual industry reports are being updated with relevant information and analysis surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak. View a list of updated reports.


IHS Connect
Database focus: Analysis of business conditions, economic data, and risk assessment for countries, continents, and regions.

Examples of recent analysis: Impact of COVID-19 virus on the MENA region | Fears unbound: Geopolitics after the pandemic | Daily COVID-19 roundup: Russia has second highest rate of COVID-19 infections, dispute over mortality rate continues


Mintel Market Research
Database focus: U.S. consumer lifestyles, attitudes and behavior; market research reports for consumer products and services. Also includes selected international coverage.

Examples of recent reports and analysis: Grocery Retailing | Haircare From Home During COVID-19 | Brands Play the Long Game to Connect with Consumers | COVID-19’s Economic Impact Will Reshape US Consumer Behavior and Shift Market Demand


NBER Working Papers

Database focus: The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) Working Papers make results of NBER research available to other economists in preliminary form to encourage discussion and suggestions for revision before final publication.

Examples of recently released working papers: “When Do Shelter-in-Place Orders Fight COVID-19 Best? Policy Heterogeneity Across States and Adoption Time” by Dhaval M. Dave, Andrew I. Friedson, Kyutaro Matsuzawa, Joseph J. Sabia | “Which Retail Outlets Generate the Most Physical Interactions?” by Avi Goldfarb, Catherine Tucker | “The Macroeconomics of Testing and Quarantining” by Martin S. Eichenbaum, Sergio Rebelo, Mathias Trabandt


Statista
Database focus: portal for quantitative data, statistics and related information. Global coverage.

Examples of recent statistics, charts, infographics, and dossiers: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Disease Pandemic- Statistics & Facts | Where Americans See Misinformation | Coronavirus: Impact on e-Commerce in the U.S. | Main Worries and Concerns about the COVID-19/Coronavirus Pandemic 2020 in the United States, United Kingdom and Germany


U.S. Census COVID-19 Data Hub

Focus: contains key demographic and economic data from Census programs including the American Community Survey and County Business Patterns program.

U. S. Census Real-Time Trackers: Household Pulse Survey and Small Business Pulse Survey.

Focus: The Household Pulse survey is collecting data on a range of ways in which people’s lives have been impacted by the pandemic. Data collection started started April 23 and the Census plans to collect data for 90 days before releasing their results. After that, the survey will be updated weekly. The Small Business Pulse survey data tabulations and visualizations will be available on their site beginning in mid-May and will be updated weekly through June.  


The library provides online personal subscription to three leading news sourcesFinancial TimesNew York Timesand Wall Street Journal. If you have questions about registering or renewing your accounts (NYT and WSJ subscriptions expire annually on their anniversary), please contact the Reference Desk.


Want to explore more? Visit the library’s Databases A-Z page to view a complete listing of library databases. Use the options at the top of the list to filter by subject.


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.

Database of the Month: OED Revisited

The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) started life more than 150 years ago. That is staying power!

The OED is a source for investigating the meaning, history, and pronunciation of 600,000 words— past and present—from across the English-speaking world.

Ten years ago, a Bentley Librarian first highlighted the OED for a Database of the Month post. I am revisiting this database because some additional features and content is now available.

Ever wondered how words become a part of the OED? This Interactive Graphic explains the process of how OMG became an entry. Every three months, the OED continues to evolve and publishes changes/revisions/additions to its contents.

One of this resource’s biggest strengths is its inclusion of the Historical Thesaurus. Dictionary entries are arranged by meaning throughout time. Looking at the history and development of words over time allows you to discover what a specific word meant in the time that a particular text/novel was written.  This helps to give you context and prevent any misunderstanding of the author’s meaning.

You can use the OED to look for a quote to include in your writing. Quotes are included from many disciplines including economics and business.

Aggregate, adj. and n. (2012 September). Oxford English Dictionary. Oxford University Press. Retrieved from OED Online database.

Explore their “Word of the day” (located in the sidebar on the right) or sign up for their Word of the Day newsletter to improve your vocabulary one day at a time

Look up a spelling! Using the * symbol helps you discover new words and word variants to use in your writing, keyword searching and online scrabble games. Col*r brings up all words that start with COL and end with an R.

Helpful OED staff created some excellent how to videos (each between 1 to 3 minutes) to quickly learn searching techniques and interpreting your results.

The OED is as relevant now as it was 10 years ago. Start exploring or re-exploring today.


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.