Getting Started

Before beginning your research, spend some time thinking about the topic at hand and how to develop a search strategy. Consider the following:

• What elements of a country profile are you looking for - demographics, political system, economics?
• What type of information do you need: statistical data or narrative overviews?
• Will you compare two or more countries - and in what respect?
• Do you need historical or current information?

Finding General or Background Information on a Country

Demographic, economic, socio-cultural and political data about countries and regions is available in variety of sources in the Bowman Library. Some of these sources provide comprehensive overviews in these areas, while others focus on particular elements or aspects such as export or social indicators. Although country information is widely available in online databases and on the Web, do not overlook print resources. Some useful titles are:

Statesman’s Year-Book – R JA51 .S7
Worldmark Encyclopedia of Cultures and Daily Life - R GN333 .W67 1998, v. 1-4
Worldmark Encyclopedia of National Economies - R HC15 .W675 2002 , v. 1-4
Worldmark Encyclopedia of the Nations - R G63 .W67 , v. 1-5
Nations of the World - R HC10 .N37 2004

For basic information about a country try also the following online sources:

Encyclopaedia Brittanica (search for a country but also explore the "World Data" menu choice)
XreferPlus (Geography or Encyclopedias sections)

Finding Information about a Country in Books

Searching ROSIE Using Keywords:

Start with a simple search by country name and add a term describing an aspect in which you are interested, for example, history, economics, people or social life.

Searching ROSIE by Subject:

The following examples of subject headings might be useful in your research (remember to explore the “related topics” links as well):

Country name followed by “economic,” for example, China economic conditions
Country name followed by “social" or “history," for example, India social life and customs

Almanacs, American
Almanacs have brief but densely packed with information snapshots of countries of the world.

You might also simply search subject headings by country name and then browse the available subjects.

Finding Articles About Countries Using Research Databases

Bowman Library subscribes to many Web-based databases where you will find newspaper, magazine and scholarly journal articles. Ones that are particularly useful for researching countries are listed below. See Searching Electronic Resources Effectively for guidelines on making the most of your search.

CountryWatch
Country Reviews include basic socio-cultural data as well as economic information for 192 countries. Country Commercial Guides (from the U.S. Department of Commerce) are also available in the "Investments" section.

Europa World Plus
This database contains full text of The Europa World Year Book and nine-volume Europa Regional Surveys of the World, regularly updated. In addition to reports and data about countries and regions, it also features directories of international organizations, government and politics (for example, local governments, political organizations), society and media (for example, publishers and broadcasters), and business and commerce (for example, major companies, trade unions, government agencies).

Stat-USA
Stat-USA, a service of the U.S. Department of Commerce, offers access to authoritative business, trade and economic information. The National Trade Data Bank (NTDB) contains the complete text of U.S. government publications. You will find here international market research materials, trade opportunities information, labor trends reviews, reports on best markets and industry sectors, and a national export directory. One of the sections, International Trade Library, has reports by sector, region and country.

ProQuest
Search ProQuest for business articles published in scholarly, trade and general interest periodicals. Explore the drop-down menus and “More Search Options” to broaden or narrow your search, for example, to a particular location, person or industry. Note that after you run your search you can further limit the results to articles that were published in trade publications or scholarly journals.

Selected Free Web Sites

The following Web sites have been selected by Bowman Librarians as examples of sites appropriate for college research. Keep in mind, however, that free Web resources are rarely filtered, often making it difficult to determine the content's accuracy. Use our guide Evaluating Web Resources to help you review the authority, currency, and objectivity or bias of every site you use.

Trade Information Center (TIC)
http://www.trade.gov/td/tic/
From the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) and International Trade Administration (ITA). THE site for export and country information. Follow “Country information” for access to Country Commercial Guides and Business Travel & Etiquette.

globalEDGE – Country Insights
http://globaledge.msu.edu/ibrd/ibrd.asp
Created by the Center for International Business Education and Research at Michigan State University, globalEDGE is a portal for international business professionals, providing links to information and learning resources on global business activities. The site offers, in addition to the extensive Resource Desk (directory of international business resources categorized by specific orientation and content), Country Insights, forum for business professionals, decision-support tools for managers, latest issues in international business, and teaching and research resources.

Country Briefings (The Economist)
http://www.economist.com/countries/
This site features concise profiles of over 60 countries, including economic data and forecast, fact sheets and political and economic structure, as well as links to articles from The Economist (full text of all the articles is available through Bowman Library).

Portals to the World
http://www.loc.gov/rr/international/portals.html
Links to online information by country, from the Library of Congress.

Citing Your Sources

Be sure to check with your professor on which citation style is required. Bowman Library provides the following resources to assist with citation format:

For online resources, see How to Cite Your Research for links to MLA, APA and Chicago citation styles.

MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers - LB2369 .G53 2003 (Located in Library Permanent Reserves).

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association - BF76.7 .P83 2001 (Located in Library Permanent Reserves).

The Chicago Manual of Style - Z253 .U69 2003 (Located in Library Permanent Reserves).

Have Questions?

• Explore WOODIE for help with Research.
• The following guides include related information that may assist your research:
  • International Management and Culture Resarch Guide
  • International Trade Research Guide
  • Exporters' Research Guide
• Ask a Librarian. We are here to help!