BEAMing Technology

Nicole BranchSanta Clara University Library

January 18, 2017

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 Maxwell GS.

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

Authority is Constructed &

ContextualImage by Banksy, courtesy of Flickr user Thomas Hawk.

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)• Data collected by others• Cultural artifacts you analyze

Argument

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

Examples: • Scholarly articles about your topic• Scholarly articles about impact of your topic

(benefits/drawbacks)

Method

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

Examples: • Articles or technical information about

particular methodologies• Articles about the argumentative approach

you are taking (sociological, economic, etc.)

What can you do with these sources for your writing?

•Get started finding other information about your topic•Used to explore your argument•Provide context for your audienceBackground

• Used for the basis of your analysis of your topic and to demonstrate your argumentExhibit

• Understand how your topic has been treated by others, including contrasting views

• Identify gaps in current understanding of your topic• Justify the argument you are making

Argument• Provides information to to help you frame your argument• Can help narrower your argument to a specific areaMethod

BEAM Your Research Topic

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

Exam

ple

“Predict what sorts of articles and sources may be most useful”

Where will you find these sources?

•Look for encyclopedia entries and background information in: •Reference sources (CREDO, Gale Virtual Reference, Wikipedia)•Newspaper & Magazine Databases (New York Times; Ethnic NewsWatch)

Background• Look for data, examples and cultural artifacts in:

• Your own research• Statistics Sources (Statista, raw data)• Google

Exhibit• 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