Sources of Business Information

Sources of Business Information, by Edwin T. Coman, Jr., is a practical bibliographic guide designed to orient businessmen, researchers, and students to the expanding world of business reference materials. First published in the mid-twentieth century and later revised, the book addresses the challenges posed by constant economic change, government regulation, and the flood of new publications. Coman argues that business success requires informed decision-making and that the costly trial-and-error method can be replaced by efficient use of libraries, bibliographies, and indexes. His guide provides clear methods for defining research problems, choosing the appropriate type of information—statistical data, historical context, or comparative analyses—and locating it quickly. Emphasizing the role of public and special libraries, chambers of commerce, trade associations, and government agencies, Coman outlines how users can access both broad background materials and highly specialized resources.

The volume is organized to maximize ease of use. Each chapter begins with bibliographies, followed by reference works, yearbooks, handbooks, and specialized indexes that cover areas ranging from accounting, finance, and real estate to management, marketing, and public relations. Coman carefully distinguishes between general sources, such as encyclopedias and almanacs, and industry-specific guides, showing how each serves as a time-saving tool for the business researcher. A substantial portion is devoted to evaluating the merits of different bibliographic aids, directories, and statistical compilations, stressing both their reliability and their limitations. By offering annotated selections rather than exhaustive lists, the guide avoids overwhelming the user with undigested references. Instead, it functions as a roadmap to the most authoritative and durable sources of business knowledge available in the mid-twentieth century, highlighting the ways professionals and aspiring executives alike can harness information to understand trends, anticipate risks, and strengthen decision-making.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1964.