Research Insight

Research Insight is a Windows based application for accessing the Standard and Poor's Compustat data. It permits the user to search for specific companies and data items and then generate custom reports and graphs. Research Insight also includes a set of wizards to assist in performing common tasks. Users can visit the Research Insight web page for more information.

Research Insight has a Primer Guide available in PDF format. You download it here.

NOTE: The Compustat data in Research Insight is derived from the same base data as the Compustat Tape Data located at K:\sas data\ , on the Unix servers, and on WRDS. However, some of the variables in Research Insight may be computed slightly differently. If you are attempting to merge data from Research Insight and the Compustat Tape Data, be sure to check the definitions of the data items to confirm that they are identical.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I run Research Insight?

A: Research Insight is composed of a client component installed on the local system and a server component installed on the W. P. Carey School of Business network. The data resides on the network. To have Research Insight installed, contact wpcarey.support@asu.edu

 

Q: How often is the data updated?

A: The Research Insight data is updated quarterly.

 

Q: Can I run it at home?

A: Yes. You can use Citrix to access Research Insight from home. For more information on Citrix, please Citrix the Citrix information pages.

 

Q: When I run Research Insight, it says that it cannot find the CD. What is wrong?

A: Research Insight displays this error when it cannot find the K: drive. The data Research Insight uses resides on the K: drive. If this drive does not appear in your list of drives in Windows Explorer, you will need access to the K: drive to be granted to your W. P. Carey School of Business account. Contact scott.thompson@asu.edu.

 

Q: Research Insight displays a BDE or DB_init error and refuses to run. What is wrong?

A: These errors are usually the result of installing applications that conflict with Research Insight. Applications that are known to conflict include Corel Office and Corel Draw. To correct the problem, Research Insight must be reinstalled on the system.