LibGuides: Information Systems: Getting Started

Introduction

This guide will help you manage the research and information needs of the Information Systems class.

If you have questions or need help, feel free to email Business and Economics Librarian Summer Peng at summer@calstatela.edu or visit during office hours.

Links to Business Literature Databases

Links to library databases for searching the literature (scholarly, popular and trade/industry) on business topics:

Business Source Premier
Like ABI/Inform, a core business database for literature reviews and finding scholarly articles.
Google Scholar
Use this to link to Google Scholar and include links to Cal State LA Library paid content
RefWorks
Refworks can be a time and aggravation saver. Use it to create reference pages and in text citations.

IBISWorld This link opens in a new window
Offers U.S. industry research and analysis for 700 market segments, aiding in market understanding, competitor analysis, business planning, benchmarking, forecasting, valuations, litigation support, and due diligence. It includes industry statistics, trends, procurement analysis, price trends, supply chain risks, and supplier benchmarks, with reports typically 25–30 pages long and regularly updated.

Most Useful Places to Search

IEEE
The IEEE Xplore digital library provides full-text access to high-quality technical literature in electrical engineering, computer science, electronics, and other related technology disciplines. IEEE Xplore includes IEEE journals, magazines, conference proceedings, and standards, in addition to books and educational courses. IEEE Xplore also includes content from other publishers, including MIT Press, IBM, Nokia Bell Labs, VDE Verlag, Morgan & Claypool.

Computer Science, by OneFile This link opens in a new window
Peer-reviewed and non-scholarly business and technical articles in the computer, telecommunications, and electronics industries. Also included are news and reviews for hardware, software, electronics, engineering, communications, and the application of technology.

OneSearch, the Library Discovery Tool
OneSearch is the Cal State LA Library's search tool you'll use to find resources available through the library. It searches many of the library databases and is a great tool to use when you are still exploring a topic or have an exact title of an item in mind. When searching OneSearch, you can find many different resource types, including those listed below.

Print and E-Books
Datasets
Journals and Journal Articles
Videos
Audio
& More!

Engineering Village This link opens in a new window
Peer-reviewed articles and conference proceedings focused on scientific and technical engineering research, covering all engineering disciplines.

Questions about business basics? Start here!

Business research and analysis can be difficult if you are new to certain areas. For example, if you work primarily in marketing but need to deal with a finance related issue you could spend an enormous amount of time just identifying relevant concepts and what they mean. Here are my favorite sites for 'ramping up' quickly and easily when I am new to an area or concept.

Portable MBA

The Portable MBA

Great E-book that can fill in the gaps or refresh your knowledge regarding most business concepts. Excellent chapter on business analysis and valuation of companies as well as good information regarding all functional areas (marketing, strategy, accounting, financce, cis etc.)