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Company and Industry Information

This guide provides resources for company and industry research.

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Guide Credits

Shirley Horbatt is the original author of this guide, which she updated through March 2016.

Guide Editor

Jennifer Stevenson edited and updated this guide Fall 2022.

Subject-Focused Encyclopedias

Need to select a research topic or find background information?  

The Reference Collection includes a variety of different sources, such as: subject-focused encyclopedias, handbooks, almanacs, maps/atlases, statistical compendiums, dictionaries, and more. Look here to find introductory articles on subject-related topics. The broad perspective offered by such articles often proves helpful for narrowing research topics before pursuing more in-depth information. 

This guide provides some recommendations for encyclopedias and other reference resources that might provide helpful information relating to your topic.

Recommended Subject-Focused Encyclopedias

Historical Encyclopedia of American Business

Reference Collection (Second Floor)

International Directory of Company Histories

Electronic resource.
v.59 (2004) - v.143 (2013)

Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2018-2019

Reference Collection (Second Floor)
Provides job descriptions and statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2020-2030

Electronic Resource 2022

Recommended Online Encyclopedia Databases

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