This guide outlines open access and free business information sources available to the general public (i.e. these resources do not require a West Virginia University login). WVU users should reference the Business Research Guide. If you have a valid West Virginia public library card, you can also access statewide library resources by visiting the West Virginia Library Commission Databases and eResources page.
If you are WV State Business Plan semi-finalist or finalist, I encourage you to reach out to your high school or college library for additional assistance. Your local library provides access to a variety of resources, particular business databases, that will be useful in putting together your final pitch presentation.
Open Access (OA) refers to free, immediate, permanent, online access to digital full-text scientific and scholarly material, primarily research articles published in peer-reviewed journals. There are limited copyright and licensing restrictions on open-access articles, meaning that anyone with Internet access may read, download, copy, and/or distribute them. A primary advantage to authors who make their articles openly accessible is that their research impact is maximized due to a wider audience.
