Research Guides: Industry & Market Research: Industry Research

Getting Started

OSU Libraries subscribes to many licensed resources. This guide organizes these resources to make them easier to find. These resources are a good place to start for many types of research, but they are only a few of the resources to which the Libraries subscribes. If you are researching on the internet at large, please be aware that there are an increasing number of poorly researched and/or AI-generated reports, data, and analysis available. You should NOT have to purchase content for research projects in your classes and you should carefully scrutinize any and all resources you are considering using in your works. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions as you begin your research.

Introduction to Industry Research Video

Note: The Libraries updated our website over the summer of 2025 so the site looks different now, though the functionality should be similar. I will be updating these videos over the Fall 2025 semester. Please don't hesitate to email me with any questions!

Industry Reports

IBISWorld Industry Reports
IBISWorld Industry Reports are probably best bet starting points for background on US industries down to the 5-digit NAICS level. Reports on an industry will include information on industry performance and outlook, major products & markets, an overview of the competitive landscape and major players, and a section on operating conditions. This is a great place to start getting a detailed industry overview.
NetAdvantage
NetAdvantage is primarily an investment research database, but it also provides access to Standard & Poor's Industry Surveys, which analyze industry activity in broad categories for the U.S. These reports include financial metrics, key industry drivers, industry trends, Porter's Five Forces analysis and a section on 'How to analyze a company in this industry'.
Fitch Connect
This database is primarily focused on providing information for risk analysis. Industry reports cover a five-year outlook, a SWOT analysis, consumer demographics and trends while Country Risk Reports provide the reader with political and economic SWOT analyses, information about relevant monetary and fiscal policies, information on operational risks, a ten-year forecast and more.
BCC Research
BCC Research publishes market research reports that cover major markets and applications for technology, industry structure information, major players and their market shares, industry dynamics, five-year outlooks and more. These reports look mainly at global markets and coverage is especially strong for engineering, health, chemical, technology and materials areas.
Statista
Statista is an online statistics portal providing insights and data on over 170 industries and more than 150 countries. As well as accessing individual statistics, users can also find consumer, industry, country and other reports which compile relevant statistics.
D&B Hoovers
This database can be used for company research as well, but it also provides access to a range of industry and market research reports. You can choose to 'Research Industries' directly from the homepage or go into a company profile page and link out to the relevant industry from there. An industry page will show top participants in the industry, regional company counts and links to market research reports, particularly RMA Industry Norms and MarketLine Industry Profiles.
EMIS Intelligence
This database focuses on industry analysis for countries regarded as emerging markets. The database includes access to The Economist Intelligence Unit Industry Reports and country profiles include information on major industries, statistics and forecasts, news, and information on the equity market.
Sports Market Analytics [Selected Articles in Full Text]
This database includes international sporting goods equipment market reports for 35 countries, export and import statistics, trade magazine and newsletter pages dealing with finance, licensing, fashion, women's and youth sports, marketing, sponsorship, research reports, sports broadcasting, ratings and more.
IBISWorld Procurement
This database provides very detailed reports that analyze price trends, buyer power, supplier information and much more for an analysis of the issues at play in procurement in a particular industry. Limited industries covered, but very good information.

Country Resources

CountryWatch
This database provides a good starting point for broad background on a particular country. Country Reviews (available under the Intelligence Zone drop down meu on the homepage) include a political overview, economic overview, investment overview, social overview, and environmental overview. The database also includes political news, elections information and forecasts.
Passport GMID
As well as information on consumers and industries, Passport GMID includes a section on 'Economies' which provides reports on 'Business Dynamics', 'Economy, Finance & Trade', and 'Sustainability' for covered nations. The Business Dynamics reports may be particularly interesting because they briefly cover the operations and regulatory environment, information on financing and investing, background on the skills and labor available in the country and an overview of transportation and infrastructure.
Europa World Plus [Full Text]
Country profiles in this database are brief, but include key information regarding location and climate, government and recent political history, economic affairs and regional and international co-operation. Covers more than 250 countries and territories.
MarketLine Advantage
MarketLine profiles companies, industries, sectors and geographies. Industry profiles include market values, forecasts, and segmentations; major company profiles and information on the competitive landscape; and a five forces analysis. Company profiles include key statistics, all related research reports and a SWOT analysis. One can search all research by keyword or filter down from broad categories.