EFFECTIVE BUSINESS RESEARCH ONLINE TUTORIAL
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long does the tutorial take to complete?
About 2.5 hours, depending on your knowledge of available research resources. You may take longer should you want to more carefully review information sources. The progress bar at the bottom of the screen helps indicate how close you are to completion.
- What if I run out of time?
We’ve designed the course to save your information on the intranet. The next time you log on, revisit Effective Business Research Online Tutorial (http://inside.pasbdc.org/resources/prodev/EBR_tutorial.asp?) and you will find your place has been kept.
- How do I use the forms?
Check your SBDC and university library resources to see which of these sources are available to you and how to access them. If you are able to take a look at the source, add your comments about the content.
Your answers are collected into a results page that you will be able to print out and keep. Since your answers are specific to what’s available at your center, the report will serve as a valuable reference guide as you work with clients. The better your comments, the better resource it will be.
- What will the results look like?
Here’s a sample of what your results will look like: Results Sample
- What if I want to skip sections?
You can do that, but you still need to populate the form and hit SUBMIT AND SAVE to proceed. Just put N/A in fields that you don’t think warrant a response.
Don’t forget: your answers are collected into a results page that you may want to keep. It will be emailed to our Business Information Specialist for review of your research knowledge. The better your comments, the better your results.
- What if I want to change my answers?
Using the PREVIOUS button, you can navigate back and to the completed form you’re looking for and make any changes. Just hit the SUBMIT AND SAVE button to overwrite your old answers. Any populated form that’s saved will allow you to advance to the next section.
- What happens to the form once I’m done?
Your notes will be forwarded to Kim Fukui, Business Information Specialist, who will review your answers and work with you. Kim will also contact your director informing him/her that you have completed the tutorial.
- What if I have a technical issue?
Find a broken link? Receive an error message? Let us know right away! Email webmaster@pasbdc.org or call the State Director’s Office at 215.898.1219.
- What if I need additional research help?
Call on Kim Fukui, Business Information Specialist for research support. That’s why she’s here!
Kim has done extensive research and reference work for companies and libraries including the Ben Franklin Technology Center of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Laventhol & Horwath, Columbia University and the Wilmington Public Library. She has a Master of Library Service from Columbia University. In other words, she really knows her stuff. Kim can be reached at research@pasbdc.org or 302-234-3198.
- Are there other professional development opportunities available through the Pennsylvania SBDC?
Absolutely. We typically host a Professional Development Conference in the fall to address pressing topics for small businesses. In addition, we plan to develop additional tutorials. Have a suggestion? Let us know in the tutorial evaluation or contact Christian Conroy in the State Director’s Office at 215.898.1219 with your great ideas.