Public Services/College of Business Liaison Librarian
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To report a broken link or request a resource be added to this page, please email Lisa Baures at lisa.baures@mnsu.edu.
Market Analysis
Exploring a potential market involves determining the potential revenue for a product or service. There are various methodologies for exploring market potential that include primary research (e.g., interviews, surveys, focus groups, etc.) and secondary research (e.g., reports, statistics, journal articles, etc.).
Here are resources to consult when exploring market potential:
Population Demographics
- City-Data.comA collection and analysis of data from a variety of government and private sources that are incorporated into informative profiles of U.S. cities.
- data.govData and datasets from the U.S. Government and various governmental agencies.
- Integrated Public Use Microdata Series (IPUMS) from Minnesota Population CenterDemographic information for the U.S. and includes international data. Allows downloading of Current Population Survey and American Community Survey datasets.
- USA Towns in ProfileProvides basic demographic information for all incorporated cities and towns in the U.S.
- U.S. Census BureauDemographic characteristics, total population, social, and economic census data for the U.S. and international locations. A good resource to consult when determining market size.
- U.S. Census Bureau--QuickFactsAccess demographic, economic, and business data for cities, counties, and states.
- International Database: World Population Estimates and ProjectionsA source for population estimates and projections (E&Ps) for over 200 countries and areas of the world.
- United Nations Demographics and Social StatisticsDemographic characteristics of countries, including population, households, housing, income, health and more.
Track Trends
- BuzzFeedIdentify the most popular and controversial topics and happenings online.
- FeedlyA feed aggregator or reader that allows you to follow and get updated with your favorite websites and blogs.
- Google AlertsEasily track trends by typing in a few well chosen keywords.
- Google TrendsMonitor a search term or phrase and get an in-depth analysis of the people searching for the specified keywords.
- Pew Research: Social & Demographic TrendsA nonpartisan fact tank that identifies issues, attitudes, and trends shaping the world.
- Social MentionsIdentify the number of times a specified keyword is mentioned, the sources of mentions (i.e., particular social media where the keyword appeared), and top hashtags used with the keyword.
- Trend WatchingA number of free publications focused on identifying and discussing trends.
- Wall Street Journal via ProQuest This link opens in a new window
Thoroughly indexed, users will have access to top news stories and information contained in various sections of the paper in regard to local and regional news.
