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This guide will get you started with doing a literature search for your business topics.
It includes tips for literature searches, with emphasis on using business databases, which give you access to information not freely available on the open web.
Research help
You can contact Moninder Lalli, Librarian for Graduate Business Programs (moninder_lalli@sfu.ca) for assistance via email or to make an appointment. Or Ask a librarian.
Belzberg Library Information for Graduate Business Programs. This Library is located in downtown Vancouver.
Researching business information: Getting started
Start with Business information resources to find recommended sources, and for search tips that will save you time. This guide includes Facts & data sources, citing help, and more.
For resources on specialised topics like Company information, Industry surveys, and Market research, see Additional resources: Business information sources.
Depending on your topic, you may also wish to consult other guides (First Nations, Government resources, Resource and Environmental Management).Check the BUEC Buzz to keep on top of new resources available for business research at the SFU Library.
Past MBA projects
You can also see examples of MBA research projects completed by previous SFU graduate business students.
Research portals that focus on Indigenous topics
Two resources for information on key topics relating to Indigenous peoples of Canada:
IPortal - Indigenous Studies Research Tool
From the University of Saskatchewan Library.
Indigenous Foundations Portal
Developed by the First Nations Studies Program at the University of British Columbia.
Databases
Business databases
Business Source Complete is a key resource, and includes business journals (trade and scholarly), industry reports, and country profiles. Start here to search most business topics or for specific journal articles.You can also search business databases by area of concentration:
- Accounting
- Finance
- HR/Management and Organizational Studies
- International Business
- Management Information Systems
- Management Science
- Marketing
See Only 4 Steps: Researching in Academic Business Journals (6.30 minute video tutorial), to learn how to break down your topic and do a literature search.
Databases for Indigenous topics
American Indian Newspapers
Newspapers published in Turtle Island (North America) between 1828-2016. Topics include community news, health, education, cultural promotion, commercial enterprises, sovereignty, and more.
Bibliography of Native North Americans
Index for all aspects of Native North American culture, history, and life.
CBCA Complete
Canada's reference and current events - scholarly journal articles, trade publications, dissertations, books, newspapers and magazines.
Canadian Research Index
Canadian government publications.
America: History and Life
Canadian & United States history
Government information
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada
Library and Archives Canada
Includes Aboriginal Heritage and Land Records
Statistics Canada
Includes Aboriginal peoples and Business and finance
Find books, journals, and other publications at SFU Library
Search the Library Catalogue to search for books, and to search for journal articles by citation, journal title, article title, or topic.
The Library Catalogue Search Guide provides search tips for effective searching, including power searching, and strategies for finding books and journal articles.Terminology and advanced search tips
Terminology describing Indigenous Peoples has varied over time. For more search results, consider adding multiple search terms, including names of specific groups, and place names.
The SFU Library guide First Nations Terminology includes further tips and strategies for searching.
Advanced search tips and strategies
For advanced search strategies for finding books and articles in the Library Catalogue, see Power searching and Boolean searching.
Sample searches for books in the Library's collection:
- Indian business enterprises -- Canada
- Indians Of North America -- British Columbia -- Claims
- Indians of North America -- British Columbia -- Industries
- Indians of North America -- Canada -- Government relations
- Indians of North America -- Employment -- Canada
- Natural resources -- Law and legislation -- Canada
- Native business enterprises
To optimise your searching on the open web, see Search tips for Google, Google Scholar, and other search engines.
Citation searching and impact metrics
Citation searching is a useful strategy to check to see if a work that is relevant for your research has been cited by anyone else since it was initially published. Enter the "citation" information into Google Scholar, using the link from SFU Library. If your citation appears in the results list, check beneath it for "Cited by."
Example:
Trosper, R., Nelson, H., Hoberg, G., Smith, P., & Nikolakis, W. (2008). Institutional determinants of profitable commercial forestry enterprises among First Nations in Canada. Canadian Journal Of Forest Research, 38(2), 226-238. doi:10.1139/X07-167
"Cited by"
For more on measuring the quantitative impact of articles, journals, or authors, see Impact metrics.Writing and citing help
For writing support services, check:
For citing help, see the SFU Library guide: Citation Guide for Business Sources.