BEAMing Your Research

Shannon KealeySanta Clara University Library

January 27, 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 Evan.

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• News anecdotes

Exhibit/Evidence

Sources you analyze or use as evidence.

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

samples)• Raw data/statistics collected by others• Statements or arguments you analyze

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/approaches to your topic

What can you do with these sources for your writing?

• Provide context• Used to explore the problem or topicBackground

• Used to help you analyze the context and implications of your topic for public health policyExhibit

• Understand how your topic has been treated by others• Identify gaps in current understanding of your topic• Identify various perspectives on your topicArgument

• Provides validity for your recommendations and conclusionsMethod

BEAMing Your Paper

Conclusion= Method Sources

Body= Exhibit & Argument Sources

Introduction= Background Sources

Topic Development= Background Sources

BEAM Your Research Topic

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

ExampleDickey Amendment (1996)

Where will you find these sources?

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

NewsWatch)Background

•Look for exhibit sources in:•Statistics Sources (Data-Planet, Statista, CDC, American FactFinder)•GoogleExhibit

• Look for scholarly articles related to your topic in:• Academic Search Complete/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• Find three different BEAM sources • Complete the form• Send a copy to yourself

Questions?

Shannon Kealeyskealey@scu.edu

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