LibGuides: Public Relations: Articles and Databases

Company Research: Public or Private?

The most important thing to know before you begin your research is whether your company is publicly held or privately held. This information will inform where you search for information. U.S. law requires pubicly held companies to disclose certain information. Most private companies opt not to disclose this information. Thus, if you are researching a small private company, you may need to rely on local news and information sources.

PR Industry Codes

NAICS Codes
Primary NAICCODE: Public Relations Agencies - 541820

US SIC Codes
Primary SICCODE: Public relations services - 87430000

Databases for PR Articles, Company Info, and Industry Info

Databases -- Alphabetical & Subject Listings

SearchONU (Classic Interface) This link opens in a new window
Searches ONU's databases, e-journals, e-books, the POLAR catalog, and the OhioLINK catalog.

Always a good place to start out and test your topic: Search ONU, the library's database that searches most of the other databases, e-journals, e-books, the POLAR catalog, as well as the OhioLINK catalog.

Databases relevant to PR, Business, Marketing, and Communication:

BizMiner Academic This link opens in a new window
No account required. After clicking log in, academic library access should be detected. Industry financial ratios, local industry market research, competitive market analysis and more by US location.
Business Source Complete This link opens in a new window
Scholarly, popular, and trade publications on management, economics, finance, accounting, international business etc. Starting point for most business-related research.
Communication & Mass Media Complete This link opens in a new window
Articles on communication and mass media.
Mergent First Research This link opens in a new window
Industry profiles, forecasts, and overviews.

Note: This link is only accessible with an ONU log-in. You may have to click through 3 screens (continue--continue--submit) before the search screen appears. Search for Public Relations Services in the search box at the top-right, and click on that specific phrase in the results list. The industry profile will contain a wealth of current information related to the PR industry.

PsycINFO This link opens in a new window
Journals, dissertations, and book chapters pertaining to the psychological, social, behavioral, and health sciences.

PR Academic and Trade Journals

PR Academic Journals:

Journal of Public Relations Research
Examines understanding of why organizations practice public relations as they do & ways to conduct public relations more effectively, as well as providing scholarly criticism, & developing the history, ethics & philosophy of public relations.
Public Relations Journal
The Public Relations Journal, published quarterly by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), is an open-access, peer-reviewed electronic research journal facilitating the transfer of knowledge from the educational community to the professional community.
(Note: An account may need to be created in order to access full-text articles.)
Public Relations Quarterly
Articles, commentary, interviews, profiles, book reviews, news of note and special issues for professionals in public relations. (Only older coverage might be available.)
Public Relations Review
The Public Relations Review is the oldest journal devoted to articles that examine public relations in depth. Most of the articles are based on empirical research undertaken by professionals and academics in the field.

PR Trade Journals:

PRWeek
The latest news, in-depth analysis, top columnists, and reviews of campaigns - plus the best selection of job opportunities for PR professionals across the US
Public Relations Strategist
Presents fresh perspectives & new ideas related to the strategic importance of effective public relations at the management level. Examines changing concepts & occasionally challenges current wisdom about the practice of public relations.
Public Relations Tactics
News, trends and how-to information for public relations people.