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Market Research Basics

This is a brief introduction to secondary market research sources that are available for free online or through UBC Library licensed tools

Industry Codes - To Find Competitors

Some market research databases and websites organize business information using industry codes.

The two industry classification systems you will come across most often are NAICS and SIC. Both are hierarchical, organized by broad industry categories, each divided into more specific industries.

Note: If you are researching a very specific or very new industry, it may not be included in these industry classification systems.

Look up the code for your industry:

Investment Analyst Reports

Industry Ratios & Benchmarking

Top sources for industry ratios and benchmarking are listed below. For more sources, refer to the Finance page of the Industry & Market Research Guide.

Top Sources for Industry Ratios & Benchmarking