The document introduces the BEAM method for organizing research sources, which categorizes sources as Background, Exhibit/Evidence, Argument, or Method. It defines each BEAM element and provides examples of the types of sources that could fit into each category. The document then guides the reader through applying the BEAM framework to brainstorm potential sources for their own research topic.

1. BEAMing Technology
Nicole Branch
Santa 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.

2. Objectives
• Plan & execute a search strategy
• Evaluate sources for relevance & purpose
• Discuss potential value of sources
• Select sources for purposes of your
assignment

3. Ways of Categorizing Sources
• Scholarly -------------------------- Popular
• Primary --------------------------- Secondary
• Good -------------------------------- Bad

4. Authority is
Constructed &
Contextual
Image by Banksy,
courtesy of Flickr user
Thomas Hawk.

5. Bizup’s “BEAM”
• Background
• Exhibit/Evidence
• Argument
• Method

6. Background
“Any source, assumed to be noncontroversial, used
to provide context… facts and information”
Examples:
• Encyclopedia articles
• Historical background/facts
• Statistics
• News anecdotes

7. Exhibit/Evidence
Sources you analyze or use as evidence.
Examples:
• Data you collect (experiments, surveys)
• Data collected by others
• Cultural artifacts you analyze

8. 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)

9. 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.)

10. 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 argument
Exhibit
• 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 area
Method

11. BEAM Your Research Topic
• Use the mind map to brainstorm topics and
sources for each BEAM element

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

13. 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 databases
Method

14. 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

15. Questions?
Nicole Branch
nbranch@scu.edu
x5436