BEAMing Flint, Michigan

Susan Boyd & Nicole BranchSanta Clara University Library

October 4, 2016

Lesson adapted from Woodward & Ganski, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee; Engaging Ideas by John C. Bean, and Joseph Bizup, Boston University. Image courtesy of Flickr user Andy Maguire.

Objectives

• Plan & execute a search strategy

• Evaluate sources for relevance & purpose

• Discuss potential value of sources

• Select sources for purposes of your assignment

Ways of Categorizing Sources

• Scholarly -------------------------- Popular

• Primary --------------------------- Secondary

• Good -------------------------------- Bad

Bizup’s “BEAM”

• Background

• Exhibit/Evidence

• Argument

• Method

Background

“Any source, assumed to be noncontroversial, used to provide context… facts and information”

Examples: • Encyclopedia articles• Historical background/facts• Statistics• News anecdotes

Exhibit/Evidence

Sources you analyze or use as evidence.

Examples: • Data you collect (experiments, surveys, field

samples)• Raw data collected by others

Argument

“The conversation of critical views and relevant scholarship” related to the topic.

Examples: • Scholarly articles about your topic• Scholarly articles about potential solutions to

your problem

Method

“References to the theories or methods the writer is employing”

Examples: • Articles or technical information about

particular research methodologies

What can you do with these sources for your writing?

• Provide context• Used to explore the problem your solution will address• Used in the introduction to orient your reader to your topic and your

paperBackground

• Used for the basis of your simulation- the data you will useExhibit• Understand how your topic has been treated by others• Identify gaps in current understanding of your topic• Justify the approach you have selectedArgument

• Provides information to conduct your simulation• Provides validity for your methodsMethod

BEAMing Your Paper or Presention

Results= Exhibit Sources

Methodology= Method Sources

Body= Argument Sources

Introduction= Background Sources

BEAM Your Research Topic

• Use the mind map to brainstorm topics and sources for each BEAM element

ExampleBP Oilspill

Where will you find these sources?

•Look for encyclopedia entries , statistics, and cultural artifacts in: •Reference sources (CREDO, Gale Virtual Reference, Wikipedia)•Statistics Sources (Statista, raw data)•Newspaper & Magazine Databases (New York Times; Ethnic NewsWatch)Background

•Look for exhibit sources in:•Your own fieldwork•GoogleExhibit

•Look for scholarly articles related to your topic in:•OmniFile•Subject specific databasesArgument

•Look for scholarly articles about methods and theories in:•Subject specific databasesMethod

Find Sources

• Go to the research guide for this class• Using the suggested databases, find sources

for your topic• Try to find at least one source for each BEAM

element• Complete the form• Send a copy to yourself

Questions?

Nicole Branchnbranch@scu.edux5436

Susan Boydskboyd@scu.edux4067