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Principles of Management - BUSI 112 - Morris

Finding useful business news and information

Even the most "reliable" sources of business information will have articles and content that is not useful to you as a student, researcher, or professional. Some content may become useful once you are in your profession, but is not appropriate or complete enough to be useful to you as a student.

You need to carefully evaluate the information sources you encounter to not only decide if they are reliable and credible, but to determine if they are useful for your task, assignment, or goal.

Types of content in business sources

This list is not exhaustive but covers many of the content types you will encounter on business news, magazine, and information sites. Some categories overlap. For example, a blog post may also be an opinion piece or top 10 list; sponsored content may be written to give advice; etc.

News updates

short in length
very current at the time of publication
lack in depth analysis or substantial details

News analysis

Interpretation of current news based on evidence and data
Moderate in length
Usually specific to a company or single event
Adequate details to understand the current situation, clarify past events that led to the current moment and anticipate what may happen in the future

Current issues in the news (hot topics)

Address a broader issue that affects many businesses or interested groups
Short or moderate length if it is assumed the reader knows the background of the issue
Longer if background on the issue is provided to educate the reader
Not always linked to one specific event, but the issue or topic is (or should be) getting attention

Case studies

Specific to one company or individual
Explains a particular initiative, action or decision taken
Can serve as a model to similar entities or organizations facing similar challenges

Advice

Articles intended to advise readers or offer best practices
Written in an informal and personalized style, referring to the reader as "you"
May be based on research or data, sources should be clearly identified
Intended for personal development but not for research

Opinion

One individual's opinion on an issue, usually one-sided and persuasive
May be written by a columnist for the publication or submitted by a reader
May be marked as "opinion" or "perspective," "guest post," or blog post
May reference sources to support the opinion

Top 10 lists (or however many the writer thinks of)

Headline intended to catch attention and tell reader the article is brief
May combine ideas from multiple sources, but is one writer's interpretation of what is "best"
Usually written to "you," the reader, to give impression of a personal connection
Only useful in research if it leads you to data, reports, studies, or other verifiable sources of information

Clickbait

Catchy titles that intentionally lack details so reader becomes intrigued
Headlines are often seen on social media along with eye-catching images
Content may be legitimate news, case studies, "advice," top 10 lists, etc, but is presented in a controversial, opinionated, dramatic or otherwise non-objective style

Blogs

Originally a form of online journaling - a space for an individual to share his/her perspective on a range of topics
Informal and conversational in tone and style with hyperlinks to other postings or websites that enhance the article content
Often now incorporated into organization and news websites
Posts represent an individual opinion or perspective
Often contributed by someone with no direct ties to the publication or organization, although the writer may have experience in the field
Typically will have a disclaimer at the end that the views expressed do not represent those of the organization
Comments are invited from readers
Types of content can include anything described above