Country Studies Research Guide
This guide will assist you with researching country information, national and international activities, and events. Listed in this guide, you will find suggested resources such as electronic databases, selected Internet sites, and print materials.
A Note About Websites… Evaluate Your Sources!
It is especially important that you evaluate any web resources you use (such as websites, blogs, wikis, etc.) because there is no editorial process for the open web, and anyone can post anything online. When evaluating web resources, it is important to pay attention to details.
First, ask yourself: How did you find the website?
- Did a professor or another reliable source recommend it?
- Was it cited in a scholarly or credible source?
- Was it a link from a reputable website?
- Did you find it by using a search engine like Google?
For tips on using Google effectively and evaluating websites critically, check out these guides:
Read on to find recommended websites compiled by a librarian for country research!
Academic Portals
- globalEDGE This link opens in a new windowAt the Center for International Business Education and Research at Michigan State University, this portal provides “information, insights, and learning resources on global business activities."
- Political Database of the Americas This link opens in a new windowA joint project of Georgetown University and the Organization of American States. The site provides information and links to information about internal and international affairs of OAS member countries.
Government Sites
- Bureau Of International Labor Affairs (Department of Labor) This link opens in a new windowForeign Labor Trends provides information on labor institutions, practices, and key developments, necessary for assessing compliance with the worker rights as required under bilateral or regional trade agreements. Also provides commentary and statistics
- Central Intelligence Agency This link opens in a new windowThe World Factbook provides information on the history, people, government, economy, energy, geography, communications, transportation, military, and transnational issues for 267 world entities.
- Country Commercial Guides (International Trade Administration (ITA)) This link opens in a new windowReports on market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business customs prepared at US Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department, and other US agencies' professionals
- Department of Commerce This link opens in a new windowNumerous reports can be accessed at, or through, this Department’s home page gateway, including: Country Commercial Guides, National Trade Estimates, and Report on Foreign Trade Barriers. See below for some suggested starting points.
- Department of State This link opens in a new windowProvides access to departmental and embassy reports. Most can be reached from this site; some (such as Background Notes, Country Commercial Guides, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices) are incorporated into USA.gov and the National Trade Data Bank reports.
- Library of Congress: Country Studies Collection This link opens in a new windowContains the electronic versions of 80 books previously published in hard copy as part of the Country Studies Series by the Federal Research Division. Intended for a general audience, books in the series present a description and analysis of the historical setting and the social, economic, political, and national security systems and institutions of select countries throughout the world.
- Office of the U.S. Trade Representative: Reports and Publications This link opens in a new windowThe Office of the U.S. Trade Representative produces reports throughout the year. Annual Reports include the FOIA report, the National Trade Estimate report, the Special 301 report, the Trade Policy Agenda and Annual Report.
International Organizations
- Organization of American States This link opens in a new windowSource for information on the structure and activities of the OAS including the current weekly report, press releases, and descriptions of the organization and its components. Select "Human Rights" for links to reports on this topic.
- The Electronic Embassy This link opens in a new windowLinks to the Foreign Embassies; provides information on doing business in the country as well as data on government, trade, employment, import/exports, economic indicators, etc.
Economics or Statistics
- UNCTAD STATS This link opens in a new windowStatistical database of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. Many statistics are free of charge.
- World Bank Open Data This link opens in a new windowFree and open access to data about development in countries around the globe.