Country Studies
From Bentley Library Research Help
Contents |
[edit] 1 ABOUT THIS GUIDE
This is a guide to help users begin researching topics about foreign countries. Not comprehensive, it directs you to pertinent databases, reference books, and circulating books available at Bentley. It also includes selected Internet resources. For information about doing business in foreign countries see International Business.
Different types of resources and access levels:
- Print Resources
are located in the Library`s Reference Collection or behind the Reference Desk. These materials are for in library use only.
- Electronic Resources
are subscription databases. These resources are available to members of the Bentley Community on-campus. Off-campus access is available by using your Bentley e-mail address and network password.
- Websites
are Internet resources that are free.
[edit] 2 COUNTRY REPORTS
[edit] 2.1 Library Databases
Each database differs in countries included and subjects, statistics, and time ranges covered.
[edit] 2.1.1 Users may want to try these first:
- Search under the name of a country for specifics about that country.
- <World Data> on the homepage left sidebar is useful.
- When <World Data> opens, use <Ranked Statistics> to see ranking (highest, lowest, rates, percentages) of data points.
- Click on the <Country Reports> link on right sidebar.
- Enter country name in the <Browse for> box and click on <Browse>.
- Locate your country and click on its name.
- Find reports from the OECD, EIU, Business Monitor International, Political Risk Yearbook; 6 month delay on some reports
- For additional information also use <Advanced search> within both Business Source Premierand Academic Search Premier.
Euromonitor Global Market Information
- For country reports about lifestyles and future demographics, select the <Consumers> tab near the top of the screen.
- On the new screen go to the upper right side under either Lifestyles or Future Demographics and select a country.
- Open the <Country Reports> dropdown box menu on the left sidebar and select a country
- Use links on left sidebar to access various Country Reports
- For economic statistics,click on <Economic>; and open <Interim Forecast Analysis> to access <Country Tables>
- Click on <Business> from the red tabs on the top.
- When the new screen opens, look on the right side under "Business Searches" and select <Country Profiles>
- Additional country and region reports can be found by clicking on the tan colored <Sources> tab from the top of the page and then selecting the <Country & Region Reports> folder on the resulting screen.
- This provides news articles dating back to 1940 plus primary documents, descriptions of key people, events and issues, timelines, etc.
- To find helpful country profiles, click on the <Resource Center> tab on the top right. When the new window opens click on <Research Tools>.
[edit] 2.1.2 Additional sources of country information:
- Select the tab <International Tax>
- Under <Indexes & Finding Aids> click <Foreign Income Portfolios>.
- For information about the country you are researching, look under the alphabetical listing of all index items.
- Click the "+" preceding the name of the country to open its own index.
- Try using the <Advanced search> on the left side of the home page.
- Select the country from the listing on the home screen (over seventy are included).
- Click on news articles, etc.
- For text in Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, or Chinese, a translation button leads to the English.
- Use tabs to access additional information.
Factiva (6 simultaneous user limit)
- Using the drop down menu in the upper left corner under <Factiva Pages>, users can change the main page (defaults to <Bentley Default>) to top world news, top business news, news for selected countries, or news for selected industries.
- To search, click on <Search > in green at the top of the page.
- When the search window opens, choose a date from the drop-down menu.
- Click on <Source>.
- From the <Select Source Category> drop-down menu select <Source Lists>.
- <Publications by Type> is an example of a listing which can be further opened to list specific resources.
- Open up the list of titles and click once to redden those you want to search simultaneously. Clicking twice lines out a particular title and eliminates it from the search.
- One can also click on a region and specify a subdivision within it, e.g. narrow North America to Massachusetts.
- Search terms go in the <free text> box.
- Several databases can be searched simultaneously.
- Especially consider searching Business and Company Resource Center, Expanded Academic ASAP, General Business File ASAP, General Reference Center, and Predicast PROMPT.
- Try using the <Advanced Search>.
- This has many databases that can be searched separately or simultaneously.
- Try using the <Advanced Search>.
[edit] 2.2 Internet Resources
Most countries also have their own Websites.
- This provides a guide to news, history, politics, economics and event timelines.
- Lengthy books sponsored by the U.S. Department of the Army are helpful, but not updated since 1998.
- Extensive annual reports issued by the U.S. Department of State.
IMF - International Monetary Fund
- Look for the <Country Info> Tab.
International Religious Freedom Reports
- Extensive annual reports issued by the U.S. Department of State.
- From the Library of Congress, these are arranged by country or area and subdivided by subjects.
- TI is a "global coalition against corruption."
- The annual Global Corruption Report ranks governments according to TI's published criteria for transparency.
- Its Website provides remedies, definitions, indexes, and publications.
- Links included are: Countries and Regions; Human Rights Reports; Religious Freedom Reports; Travel and Business; Background Notes; International Issues; History, Education and Culture.
- Find index in upper right corner.
University of Michigan Documents Center
- This includes links to foreign and domestic government Web sites and related information.
- Click on <Countries> Tab
[edit] 2.3 Reference Books
[edit] 2.3.1 World
Countries and Their Cultures. REF DESK GN307 .C68. 4 vols.
- Alphabetically arranged by country.
- This set covers topics such as identification, language, symbolism, history and ethnic relations, use of space, food and economy, socialization, marriage, etiquette, and religion.
Countries of the World and Their Leaders. REF DESK G122 .C67 Annual. 2 vols.
- Political, economic and historical overviews of every country are included as well as information about international treaty organizations.
- Updated by Background Notes.
Encyclopedia of Urban Cultures: Cities and Cultures Around the World. REF HT108.5 .E53 2002. 4 vols.
- Arranged alphabetically.
- This covers about 240 of the world's most important cities.
Europa World Year Book. REF DESK JN1 .E85. 2 vols.
- Annual.
- Organized by country.
- This set provides a wide range of information and numerous statistics.
Financial Times World Desk Reference. REF G63 .F55 2005
- This includes concise overviews of individual countries.
- It also includes sections on the world economy, population, international organizations.
- Provides many useful graphics.
Geo-data: the World Geographical Encyclopedia. REF G103.5 .G36 2003
- Users will find a useful World Rankings appendix.
The Statesman's Yearbook: the Politics, Cultures and Economies of the World. REF JA51 .S7
- Annual.
- Earlier editions are in the regular stacks.
The World Factbook. REF G123 .W6
- Annual.
- CIA Publications includes this as well as several other reference sources.
Worldmark Encyclopedia of the Nations. REF G63 .W67. 5 vols.
- Economic, social, cultural, political, historical information is included.
[edit] 2.3.2 Specific Regions
Africana: the Encyclopedia of the African & African American Experience. REF DT 14 .A37435 2005
This provides extensive coverage and includes many maps, charts and tables, etc.
Central and South-Eastern Europe. REF HC 244 .A1 C46 2004.
- Information is subdivided by a general survey, country surveys, political profiles, and regional information.
Eastern Europe: an Introduction to the People, Lands, and Culture. REF DJK9 .E25 2005 3 vols.
- Organized regionally, then by country.
- This covers approximately from the medieval period through the European Union.
Encyclopedia of Contemporary Latin American and Caribbean Cultures. REF F1406 .E515 2000
- This covers from 1920 to 2000 and more than 40 regions.
Encyclopedia of the Developing World. REF HC 59.7 .E52 2006
Information covers the period since 1945. A Thematic List of Entries (v.1, p. xxvii) is useful.
Encyclopedia of the Modern Middle East & North Africa. REF DS 43 .E53 2004 4 vols.
- This includes topics in politics, history, economics, religion, sociology, and literature.
Encyclopedia of Women & Islamic Cultures. REF HQ1170 .E53 2003. 4 vol.
- Covers countries and also crosses history, geographic borders, and disciplines.
European Union: Encyclopedia and Directory. REF DESK HC 241.2 .E8334 2007
- Provides information and historical perspective on the economic, political, legal, and social affairs of the EU.
The Islamic World: Past and Present. REF DS 35.53 .I86 2004 3 vols.
- Entries related to politics, economics, sociology, history, literature, and the arts are arranged alphabetically.
[edit] 3 SELECTED RESOURCES BY SUBJECT
[edit] 3.1 CULTURE
[edit] 3.1.1 Various Topics: Reference Books
Atlas of World Art. REF G1046 .E1 O9 2004
- Divided into seven periods from prehistory to 2000.
- Many of the map legends include resources, monuments, routes, etc.
The Continuum Complete International Encyclopedia of Sexuality. REF HQ21 .I68 2004
- Entries under 60 countries are similarly organized.
- Additional general essays cover global issues.
Encyclopedia of the World's Minorities. REF GN495.4 .E63 2005. 3 vols.
- Includes entries for nations, groups, biographies and topics pertinent to the field.
- A Thematic List of Entries (v. 1, p. xv) is helpful.
Greenwood Encyclopedia of Women's Issues Worldwide. REF HQ1467-1788 .G74 2003. 6 vol.
- Within the six regions of the world, the information for each country is structured identically.
International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences. REF H41 .I58 2001. 26 vol.
- This is a highly regarded, very comprehensive source.
The International Who's Who. REF CT 120 .I5
- Updated annually.
- This provides biographical information about gifted, famous, and influential contemporaries.
Reference guide to world literature. REF PN524 .R44 2003 3 vols.
- Focuses on significant non-English writers throughout history.
- The first volume covers authors; the second, literary works.
- Several lists and indexes are helpful.
World Education Encyclopedia: a Survey of Educational Systems Worldwide. REF LB15 .W87 2001. 2 vols.
- This set includes several pages of well-organized information for every country.
World Press Encyclopedia: a Survey of Press Systems Worldwide. REF PN 4728.Q53 2003. 2 vols.
- Arranged alphabetically by country.
- It includes historical and current information about print news media, online communications, and broadcast news media.
- It covers many topics, such as freedom of the press and press laws.
- Graphs, statistical tables, regional maps are some of the additional features.
Worldmark Encyclopedia of Cultures and Daily Life. REF GN333 .W67. 4 vols.
- The information focuses on the traditions, living conditions, and personalities of many of the world's culture groups.
- A country index in vol.1, pg. xi, lists the culture groups by the countries in which they reside.
[edit] 3.1.2 Holidays and Food: Reference Books
Chase's Calendar of Events. GT3932 .C48 2005
"The day-by-day directory to special days, weeks and months."
- This includes "national and international holidays, festivals worldwide, historical anniversaries, astronomical phenomena, sporting events, and celebrity birthdays."
Encyclopedia of Food and Culture. GT 2850 .E53 2003. 3 vols
- Thematic articles are arranged alphabetically.
- The coverage is historical and worldwide.
- See the Systematic Outline at the back of Volume 3.
The Folklore of World Holidays. REF GT 3930 .F65 1991
- Organized by date and sub-organized by country.
- This volume also contains a very detailed index.
Holidays, Festivals, and Celebrations of the World Dictionary: Detailing More than 2,000 Observances from All 50 States and More than 100 Nations. REF GT 3925 .T46 1997
- This provides several indexes, e.g. ethnic and geographic, religious groups, chronological, legal, etc.
Holiday Symbols and Customs. REF GT 3930 .T48 2003
- This includes the lore behind the traditions, rituals, foods, games, animals, etc., associated with celebrations.
The International Book of Days. REF GT 4803 .D6 2004
- This covers "religious events and secular holidays from virtually every country on Earth." -- Preface
[edit] 3.1.3 Holidays and Food: Internet Resources
- Tabs on the searchable database allow browsing by country, religions, or date.
[edit] 3.2 ECONOMY
[edit] 3.2.1 Reference Books
Atlas of Global Development. REF G1046 .G1 I6
- Annual.
- Includes statistical indicators collected by the World Bank.
The Cambridge Economic History of Latin America. REF HC 125 .C29 2006 2 vols.
- Essays cover trends and developments from the Spanish conquest to the twenty-first century.
The Cambridge Economic History of Modern Britain. REF HC 253 .C36 2003 3 vols.
- This set includes economics, history, and other social sciences for the period from 1700 to 2000.
Encyclopedia of Capitalism. REF HB 501 .E558 2004. 3 vols.
- This includes entries such as countries, concepts, industries, companies, significant people, historical events, as well as a lengthy timeline (v. 1, p. xxv).
Encyclopedia of India. REF DS405 .E556 2006 4 vols.
- This is strong in the areas of economy and finance.
Encyclopedia of World Trade from Ancient Times to the Present. REF HF 1373 .W67 2005. 4 vols.
- Entries cover trade organizations, influential people, commodities, events, trade routes, navigation, religion, communications, transportation, etc.
- It also includes selected primary sources, a chronology, glossary and indexes.
European Union: Encyclopedia and Directory. REF DESK HC 241.2 .E8334 2007
- This provides information and historical perspective on the economic, political, legal, and social affairs of the EU.
Global Development Finance, v. 2 Country Tables. REF HJ 8899 .W672
- Prepared by the World Bank.
- This includes statistical tables on the external debt of the 137 countries that report under the Debtor Reporting System (DRS).
- Also included are tables of selected debt and resource flow statistics for countries and summary tables for regions and income groups.
History of World Trade Since 1450. REF HF 1379 .H574 2006. 2 vols.
- This covers developments, ideas, people, and places.
- Volume two includes several primary source documents.
The Oxford Encyclopedia of Economic History. REF HC 15 .O94 2003 5 vols. (update on order)
- This includes "summaries of the economic history of virtually every 'nation' and society, as well as many other geographical concepts, such as cities." -- Preface
[edit] 3.2.2 Internet Resources
- Includes surveys and reports, staff studies, and working papers. Some are about international economic issues.
- Its Federal Reserve Bulletin is published monthly.
- Our print version is shelved in the periodicals stacks. It is also available online at Federal Reserve Bulletin
Virtual International Business & Economic Sources (VIBES).
- "Provides global, regional, and national listings of over 1,600 links to Internet sources of international business and economic information available in English.
- Includes links to full-text files of recent articles and research reports, statistical tables and graphs, and other meta sources." -- Librarians' Internet Index
- The site index (linked in the upper right) is a helpful overview of sources.
- The World Development Report REF HC 59.7 .W659 is published annually. It is also available online at World Development Report
- "The World Economic Forum is the foremost global community of business, political, ntellectual and other leaders of society committed to improving the state of the world." -- Website
[edit] 3.3 GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
[edit] 3.3.1 Reference Books
The Amnesty International Report: the State of the World's Human Rights. REF JC571 .A44 *Annual.
- This provides overviews of global, regional, and individual country's human rights issues.
Encyclopedia of International Relations and Global Politics. REF JA 61 .E51 2005
- This includes entries about politics, economics, diplomacy, and the military, etc., which are significant for the study of international relations since the end of the Cold War.
Encyclopedia of Politics : the Left and the Right. REF JA61 .E54 2005. 2 vol.
- World coverage.
- The "Reader's Guide" and "Timeline of Politics" in vol.1 are helpful.
Governments of the World: a Global Guide to Citizens' Rights and Responsibilities. REF JA61 .G645 2006 4 vol.
- Arranged alphabetically, this provides background information about countries, political issues, and leaders.
Governments of the World: a Student Companion. REF JF127 .P56 1998. 3 vol.
- Articles about countries, political systems, leaders, organizations, etc., are in alphabetical order.
Political Handbook of the World. REF JF 37 .P6
- Annual.
- This provides descriptions of the political situation in every country of the world.
[edit] 3.3.2 Internet Resources
- Includes constitutions, charters, amendments, and other related documents.
- Provides a dropdown list of countries for quick searching.
- Issued by the U.S. Department of State.
- These are extensive annual reports.
- Organized by regions and countries.
International Crisis Group(ICG)
- Brussels-based private, multinational organization.
- It has a number of useful publications.
- The site is recommended by the Librarians' Internet Index
Political Resources on the Net
- Listings of political sites available on the Internet.
- Sorted by country, with links to Parties, Organizations, Governments, Media and more.
- TI is a worldwide coalition against corruption.
- It produces an annual Global Corruption Report.
- In addition to research information, its webpages offer a number of tools for analyzing and fighting corruption.
- This covers from approximately 1770.
- "Most entries also include brief historical outlines, flags, and links to national anthems and constitutions. There are lists of leaders of international organizations, war and colonial indexes, information on titles of nobility (in Introduction), a bibliography" -- Librarians' Internet Index
[edit] 3.4 HISTORY
Also see History: Selected Resources
[edit] 3.4.1 Reference Books
Encyclopedia of African History. REF DT20 .E53 2005. 3 vol.
- This covers countries, topics, leaders, etc.
- Many of its entries written by African-born scholars.
Encyclopedia of European Social History from 1350 to 2000. REF HN373 .E63 2001 6 vol.
- Articles are grouped in twenty-three sections, e.g. "Europe and the World," "Processes of Social Change."
The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Daily Life: a Tour Through History from Ancient Times to the Present. REF GT31 .G74 2004 6 vols.
- Each volume covers one of six periods of history.
- Each volume begins with an historical overview and is subdivided by various aspects of life, e.g. domestic, economic, intellectual, material, political, recreational, and religious.
Encyclopedia of Irish History and Culture. REF DA912 .E53 2004. 2 vols.
- This covers "all periods and all themes of Irish history, culture, society, and people."
Encyclopedia of Russian History. REF DK14 .E53 2003. 4 vols.
- This covers predominantly from the time of the Tsars to the present.
- It also includes cultural and geographical information about Russia and the former Soviet republics.
The Timetables of History: a Historical Linkage of People and Events. REF D11 .G78 2005
- This covers 4500 BC to 2004 CE.
- Each period (predominantly yearly) is organized into seven categories, e.g. history; politics, literature, theater; religion, philosophy, learning; visual arts; music; science, technology, growth; and daily life.
World Literature and Its Times : Profiles of Notable Literary Works and the Historical Events that Influenced Them. REF PN50 .M675 1999. 12 vols.
- The volumes are arranged geographically.
- The information about each region of the world begins with a chronology of relevant events and the notable literary works related to them.
- The individual literary works are arranged alphabetically within each volume.
[edit] 3.4.2 Internet Resources
- An award-winning, well-organized portal that rates and annotates over 1000 links.
- In addition to hundreds of links, this site contains an "interactive combination of synchronoptic lifelines, timelines, and maps." -- Website
The Internet Public Library: History
- From the University of Michigan School of Information.
- This site is organized by era, region, topic, and historical documents and sources.
- The links are briefly annotated.
- Prepared by librarians at the Library of Congress.
- This contains selective links providing authoritative, in-depth information about nations and other areas of the world.
- The links for each country or area are sorted into a wide range of broad categories including history.
[edit] 3.5 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- The Bentley Library owns and has access to additional resources not listed above.
- The following wikis should be particularly helpful: International Business, Statistical Resources, Current News Resources, and History: Selected Resources.
- If you are having a problem finding the information you need, you can ask a Librarian for help.
