Think about your topic and what are you trying to answer. Terms? People? Organizations? Places? Objects?
List terms that best represent the main concepts of your topic.
name of a company/competitor: Frito Lay
name of a product/brand: Lays Potato Chips
industry: 311919 "other snack food manufacturing"
demographics (to help you determine location/marketing stragety for your product)
Research Databases
Find company contact information, and company reports (filings, key facts, employees, major products, revenue, SWOT, top competitors, locations, subsidiaries).
Use your 14-digit library barcode number for off-campus access (the number is on the back of your student ID). Don't have an ID? Get one from the library. Distance students can fill out the online request form.
D&B Regional Business Directory - Houston Area REF HG 4058 .A33 2011
Hoover's Handbook of American Business REF HG4057 .A28617
Thomas Register of American Manufacturers – REF T 12 .T6 2000 or search the company's website to find companies that manufacture products; web version requires free registration
Find Trade Associations
Encyclopedia of Associations REF HS17 .G334 - includes contact information including Web site addresses
Texas Demographics
Profiles of Texas REF HT 123 .5 .TU 2010U.S.
Demographics and Additional Statistical Information
Identify your potential customers by location. Learn basic demographic information to target your marketing campaing.
American Fact Finder - provides profiles for states, counties, cities, congressional districts, and more from the U.S. Census Bureau