Researching an industry can be overwhelming. Here is a step-by-step guide to get you started.
First, it is good to know the NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) code for the industry you are researching. When researching an industry prior to 1997, you will need the SIC (Standard Industrial Classification) code. You can use a couple of sites to find the NAICS (or SIC) by keyword.
NAICS Association or Census NAICS site
While the code will be important as you research your industry, the terms connected to that code will also be useful in your quest.