Tag: database of the month

Resource of the Month: Mosaic USA Consumer Segmentation

Lisa

This month we are highlighting Mosaic® USA, a unique and valuable resource for students and researchers seeking consumer demographic and psychographic information for GB214, GB320, marketing projects, and corporate immersion projects!

About Mosaic® USAMosaic USA handbook cover

Mosaic® USA is a consumer lifestyle segmentation system developed by Experian that classifies U.S. households into 19 overarching groups and 71 unique types that share similar demographic and socioeconomic characteristics.

Mosaic® USA profiles provide information about the sociodemographics, lifestyles, behaviors, and culture of consumers within each of the 19 groups and 71 segments.

Affluence and life stage, combined with property characteristics, socio-economics, ethnicity, additional financial measures, and the type of geographic location (e.g. urban or rural) are key components of the Mosaic classifications.

Access Mosaic® USA profile descriptions
The Bentley Library has access to Mosaic® USA profiles and population and household data via our subscription to the DemographicsNow database.

Follow these steps to locate the profiles:

  1. Select the Demographics Now database from the library’s Databases A-Z list
  2. Click on the menu icon in the top right corner
  3. Click HELP
  4. Scroll down to view [Mosaic USA Details]. You will see links to the 19 Mosaic® USA group profiles and the 71 Mosaic® USA segment descriptions.
example of a Mosaic profile
example of a Mosaic® USA profile

Find Mosaic® USA population and household data for a geographic area
Generate reports in DemographicsNow to identify the Mosaic® USA composition of any geographic region (zip code, city, county, state, etc.).

Follow these steps to generate reports:

  1. Select the DemographicsNow database from the library’s Databases A-Z list
  2. Click on the [Demographics] tab at the top of the page
  3. Enter a [Geography] in the GeoFilter box
  4. Select a [Report Type]: Summary, Comparison, or Rank
  5. Use the [Report] drop-down box to select a Mosaic® USA report. Report choices will vary according to your report type selection, but include Population, Household, and Workplace Population reports.
example of a Mosaic® USA Details summary report for a state

Get Mosaic® USA help and documentation
These sources will help you understand and use Mosaic® USA. 

Click to view video tutorial

If you’d like further assistance using this resource please contact the Reference Desk.

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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.

Resource of the Month: Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports

Katie

Reports created by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) are now available to the public!

With the passing of the “Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018” (H.R. 1625, 115th Cong.), CRS Reports can now be searched and accessed on Congress.gov at https://crsreports.congress.gov/.

Search CRS Reports Homepage

The Congressional Research Service (CRS), a part of the Library of Congress, provides support for all members of Congress and congressional committees. The Congressional Research Service’s experts conduct research and provide analysis to assist legislators. CSR reports provide nonpartisan, objective analysis on a topic.

The reports and other research products produced by the Congressional Research Service cover a wide range of topics related to public policy and areas of interest to members of Congress. Some of the topics covered include issues related to foreign affairs, health care, environmental policy, trade, the economy, and much more.

Content on CRSReports.Congress.gov is available from 2017 to present, with new content being added frequently. Reports may be updated periodically, however prior versions may still be accessed.

Users can download the reports as a PDF. Previous versions of a report can be accessed by looking at the version history.

Record for CRS report

The last update date is clearly marked on each report. A table of contents and citations to sources are also included.

For assistance in using and searching CRS Reports, contact the Bentley Library Reference Desk.

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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: Films on Demand

Matthew

Films on Demand is one of the Bentley Library’s premier online film databases, specializing in educational content that spans all academic disciplines and research interests. With enhancements such as segmented content, customized playlists, embed capabilities, and citation tools, this database is a valuable resource for both educators and students alike.

Content

Bentley University has access to the full Master Academic Collection offered by Films on Demand. This collection includes within it the Humanities & Social Science, Business & Economy, Science & Mathematics, and Health Video collections. In addition, these resources feature content from notable producers of quality programming:

Films on Demand producers

Subject areas covered by Films On Demand include:

  • Art  & Architecture
  • Biology
  • Business & Economics
  • Careers & Job Search
  • Computers & Technology
  • English & Language Arts
  • Health & Medicine
  • History
  • Mathematics
  • Philosophy & Religion
  • Psychology
  • Sociology

Features

documentary "Two American Families" is available in Films on Demand

Playlists

Users have the option to create playlists to access and refer to later. To create playlists, click on the “My Films” option on the top right corner of the main page and follow the instructions to create an account.

Segments

Most films in this database feature segments, making it easier for both educators and students to isolate relevant content for instruction or research. Users can also create their own custom segments for use in research and presentations and save to their account to reference later.

Blackboard

Instructors can integrate films into Blackboard with ease by using the Embed/Link option, enabling the posting of assigned films (or segments) directly into the course learning environment without extra clicks or links. To do this, first cut and paste the Title URL link of the video listed below the brief description of the title.  Then place our proxy server prefix tag in front of this URL so off campus users can view the video.

Here is our proxy server prefix tag: http://ezp.bentley.edu/login?url=

Transcripts

For accessibility purposes, Films on Demand also offers closed captioning and searchable transcripts both available in multiple languages as an alternative way to experience content.

Connect to this Resource

Films on Demand is available from the library’s Streaming Films page and Databases A to Z listing. Contact the Reference Desk if you have questions or need assistance using this resource.

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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: PRS Group – CountryData Online

Stephen

Political Risk Services (PRS) provides a methodology for political risk forecasting. The Bentley University Library now subscribes to the PRS CountryData Online service. CountryData provides access to PRS Group’s historical risk data back to 1984, as well as forecasts, economic, political, geographic, and social data from Political Risk Services. PRS country data is updated monthly on the CDO database.

CDO takes advantage of the Coplin-O’Leary Country Risk Rating System for PRS forecast to provide independent political risk forecasting. Coplin-O’Leary allows users to look at risk variables such as Direct Investment Risk, Equity Restrictions, Financial Transfer Risk, Tariff Barriers, Turmoil Ratings, and 19 others.

CDO allows users to create screening reports based on standard economic indicators, such as wages, inflation, GDP, debt, capital investment and inflation, back to 1984. Data can be viewed as CSV/Excel files.

Finally, CDO provides access to PRS Group’s ICRG Risk tables. ICRG Risk is tables of data as published monthly in the International Country Risk Guide from 1984 until the present, including all sets of data extracted from monthly issues of ICRG since 1984, including Political, Economic, Financial and Composite Risk Ratings.

Connect to This Database

PRS CountryData Online is available from the Databases A to Z listing. Please note that there is a two-user limit for this database. Contact the Reference Desk if you have questions or need assistance using this resource.

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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: Journal Citation Reports (JCR)

Kimberly

Tregoning, J. (19 June 2018). How will you judge me if not by impact factor? Nature, 558 (7710), 345. doi:10.1038/d41586-018-05467-5

Anyone who has ever submitted an article for publication has no doubt heard the phrase Impact Factor, but do you know what an impact factor is, how it is calculated, and where you can get it? Journal Citation Reports (JCR) answers these questions. Launch video tutorial, Journal Citation Reports: Impact Factor, or read on.

JCR calculates and provides the impact factor for thousands of scholarly journals, helping you identify the top-tier journals in your field. JCR allows you to evaluate and compare journals using citation data drawn from approximately 12,000 scholarly and technical journals and conference proceedings from more than 3,300 publishers in over 80 countries. Of note: 2017 JCR journal data was just added.

Key features and metrics in JCR allow you to:

  • Focus on desired subject categories, enabling you to review journal titles and key performance indicators in the category.
  • Compare multiple journals based on a chosen indicator.
  • Evaluate the performance of journals in which you or your organization has published research.
  • Recognize trending journals in key research categories.
  • Identify the ideal journal in which to publish your forthcoming research.

By selecting the categories of Business and Business & Finance, the below listing is generated.

JCR journal category search

As you can see, the Journal of Management ranks 2nd in these categories with an impact factor of 7.733.

A journal’s Impact Factor is calculated by dividing the number of citations in the JCR year (2016) by the total number of articles published in the two previous years (2014 & 2015).

Clicking on the hyperlinked Journal of Management in the listing gives us even more Key Indicators and trend data over time:

JCR key indicators for the Journal of Management

Other impact and influence metrics included in JCR:

  • Eigenfactor score (a measure of the overall value provided by all of the articles published in a given journal in a year)
  • Article Influence score (a measure of a journal’s prestige based on per article citations and comparable to Impact Factor)
  • Most highly cited journal in a field

More information about Impact factor, and other metrics is available under Help in the Glossary – A to Z area.  Launch video tutorial, JCR on InCites: Quick Tour, to view a brief overview of this database.

Connect to This Database

JCR is available from the Databases A to Z listing.

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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: Sports Market Analytics (SMA)

Dominique

Answering questions about sports as a business and analyzing consumer information relevant to sports are easy and fun tasks with Sports Market Analytics. Formerly called SBRNet, Sports Market Analytics (SMA) delivers industry news, summaries, metrics, articles and statistics about sports through a user-friendly and well-developed site.

SMA organizes its demographic information into 2 spheres:

A. single sports (athletes who play sports)
B. fan markets (spectators)

Both types of consumers are called participants.

Sample 1: Hockey Skates
We can search SMA for the demographic information about skate purchases. We suggest searching the “single sport” menu, sorted alphabetically by sport on the front page. This consumer information will help our hypothetical business to advertise a new line of skate laces to people who buy hockey equipment.

Main page navigation areas for participants as athletes
Main page navigation areas for participants as athletes

The HOCKEY link directs us to information (Table 1) on ages of people who buy hockey skates.

Table 1. The largest age group for hockey skate market is 14-17 years old
Table 1. The largest age group for hockey skate market is 14-17 years old

Sample 2: Preferred Vehicles

Participants from the fan market enjoying professional hockey also have metrics in SMA. A notional company seeks to showcase a widget for vehicle owners. For this search, use the “Fan Markets” menu from the front page (circled below).

Main page navigation for fan market participants.
Main page navigation for fan market participants.

Selecting NHL on the fan market menu leads us to a page with National Hockey League participant information. There is data on their most frequently purchased soft drinks, cars, running shoes, etc. Table 2 shows that the preferred car brand of National Hockey League participants has evolved from Ford to Toyota in recent years.

Table 2: NHL fans’ preferred car brands
Table 2: NHL fans’ preferred car brands

The business of sports is big and so is SMA!

SMA is versatile also. Sample questions that SMA has answered:

  • Demographics: Average household income for fantasy football participants
  • Industry info: Revenue for U.S. women’s college basketball in 2015
  • Market segments: Number of people belonging to fitness clubs between ages X and Y
  • Marketing agencies: Competitive cyclist in need of an agent/representative
  • Sports sponsorship: Social media most frequently used by adult MLB fans
  • Venue data: Attendance numbers at NFL arenas vs. online, mobile, or TV

Users seeking very granular fan market information will love the “Detailed Cross-tab Statistics” feature, a downloadable Excel spreadsheet which captures SMA tables from the screen and allows the user to sort, search, and manage data about fan markets.

Table 3: The Detailed Cross-tab Statistics spreadsheet
Table 3: The Detailed Cross-tab Statistics spreadsheet is sorted by tabs promisingly labeled as fan activity total, watch by demo, attendance, mobile usage, and the like.

SMA sources its information from trade publications and trade groups (i.e. National Sporting Goods Association); government agencies (U.S. Department of Commerce); school and college programs; market research; and its own in-house research team called SBRNet.

Articles from trade publications carry current date stamps.
Articles from trade publications carry current date stamps.

SMA is the perfect resource for students of sports management, sports communication, demographics, or marketing, and for entrepreneurs starting a business related to sports.

Be sure to include Sports Market Analytics early in the research phase in any demographic, market share, or industry-related project. SMA goes head to head very well against other industry e-resources such as IBISWorld, Business Insights Essentials, Richard K. Miller, Business Source Complete, and Mediamark. SMA is a strong example of a niche resource with depth and unique content without much overlap.

Connect to Sports Market Analytics

Visit our Databases A-Z page and select Sports Market Analytics (SMA).

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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: IHS Connect

Macee

IHS Connect provides continuously updated analysis of general business conditions, economic information and general risk assessment for countries, continents and regions. Reports include political, economic, regulatory/legal, tax, operational and security considerations. Interactive maps, statistical data, charts, and graphs analyze and present data on specific geographies.

Users researching Global Studies, Economics, and business-related country and company topics will find this database useful. For example, information on the following common reference questions in those disciplines (and more) is included:

  • Risks associated with doing business in specific countries
  • World, regional and local economic forecasts
  • Current country and sovereign risk ratings from IHS Connect, Moody’s, S&P and other rating services
  • Headline Analysis, Risk Profile, Intelligence, and other analyst-authored reports naming specific countries and companies

Get Started with IHS Connect

To get started, click the gear icon in the upper right corner of the page and choose Show Subscribed Content to limit search results to Bentley’s subscription content. A basic search box for keyword searching is provided to the left of the gear icon; start typing a search term and a list of suggested topics appears below the search box. Results will be provided in one or more of the following subject areas: Global Economics, Risk, or Geographies.

Choose a Country

To see an interactive dashboard with comprehensive information about a specific country, click the Geography link of the navigation bar and enter a country name into the search box.

Partial view of Country Risk reports and data for Venezuela, showing Overview, Reports and Risk Ratings

Browse Interactive Risk and Economics Datasets

The IHS Data Browser organizes and displays Risk Rating and Global Economy data. Build reports by choosing from a detailed list of strategic or sovereign risk factors, or view economic indicators over time. The data can be exported to Excel by clicking the Export button.

Strategic risk ratings for South American countries

Get Database Help

View IHS Connect’s online help center by clicking the question mark icon on the main navigation bar.  Download the PDF user guide or view it online. User guides for a variety of in-depth tutorial information are also available. In-person assistance is available from Bentley librarians; our contact information and Reference Desk hours are available on the Bentley Library Research Help page.

Connect to the Database

Please visit our Databases A-Z page and click IHS Connect to begin your search. This database can also be viewed in the following Subject lists on the A-Z page: Country Research; Economics; International Business; Politics and Government.

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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.

Databases of the Month: Online Newspapers and News Databases

Lisa

What should you do when you want to read a news article online and you’ve run into a paywall? Don’t grab your credit card or spend valuable time searching Google for a “free” version of the article. We have or can get what you need! The library provides access to hundreds of thousands of newspaper articles and other news sources (e.g. newswires, TV and radio show transcripts, blogs, etc.) online via our subscriptions and databases. 

Below is a roundup of our top news databases, but we have much more to offer. Visit our Current News Resources research guide for additional news resources provided by the library as well as free online news sources we recommend.

Today’s News

For when you want to read today’s newspaper.

  • The New York Times online, NYTimes.com [registration required, create an account]. Includes online access to the Spanish and Chinese editions of the newspaper.
  • The Wall Street Journal online, WSJ.com [registration required, create an account]
  • Factiva Newsstand

Current News 

These databases provide access to full-text from newspapers, newswires, TV and radio transcripts, and some news websites (e.g. CNN.com). Coverage generally runs 1980-present, but varies by database and publication.

Historical Newspapers

Use these databases to retrieve articles from the 17th to the 20th century. All of these sources provide full HTML text and/or PDF reproductions and include digital images.

Locate a Specific Newspaper

Just want to know where to get the Chicago Tribune or Telegram & Gazette?  Use the Journal Finder. Enter the name of the newspaper in the journal finder box and click [search]. The journal finder will tell you if the full-text is available, the database it can be found in, and the dates for which it is available.

Print Editions

Miss the smell of newsprint and ink smudges on your fingertips? The library subscribes to the print editions of The Boston Globe, The New York Times, The New York Times International Edition, People’s Daily, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post. You can find them in the Current Periodicals area on the main level.

Get Help

Don’t have time to comb through a bunch of different sources? Contact the Reference Desk! Reference librarians can quickly assess your options and help you obtain the publication or article you need.

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Database of the Month provides a very brief introduction useful library databases, highlighting key features you should know about. If you would like more information about these resources (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.