The document introduces the BEAM framework for categorizing sources in research - Background, Exhibit/Evidence, Argument, and Method. It explains each element of BEAM and provides examples of source types that could fulfill each element. The framework is intended to help students plan a comprehensive search strategy and select relevant sources that provide context, evidence, scholarly discourse, and methodologies for their research topics and papers.

1. BEAMing Your Research Topic
Nicole Branch
Santa Clara University Library
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 Brian Wolf.

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

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

6. Exhibit/Evidence
Sources you analyze or use as evidence.
Examples:
• Data you collect (interviews, surveys, field
observations)
• Cultural documents you use for analysis

7. Argument
“The conversation of critical views and relevant
scholarship” related to the topic.
Examples:
• Scholarly articles about your topic
• Literature reviews that trace the
“conversation” as well as the gaps in the
conversation

8. Method
“References to the theories or methods the
writer is employing”
Examples:
• Articles about particular research
methodologies
• Articles about particular theorists or theories

9. What can you do with these sources
for your writing?
•Provide context
•Used in the introduction to orient your reader to your topic
and your paperBackground
•Used for the basis of your original analysis
•The basis of your “voice” in the conversation
Exhibit
•Understand how your topic has been treated by others
•Identify gaps in current understanding of your topic
•Place your own analysis in the context of scholarly discourseArgument
•Provides information to conduct your own analysis or
fieldwork
•Provides validity for your methodsMethod

10. BEAM & the Research Paper
Discussion/Conclusion
Exhibit and/or argument sources
Results
Exhibit sources
Methods
Method sources
Introduction
Background sources and argument sources

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

12. Example

13. Where will you find these sources?
•Look for encyclopedia entries , statistics, and cultural artifacts in:
•Reference sources (CREDO, Gale Virtual Reference)
•Statistics Sources (Statista, American Community Survey)
•Newspaper & Magazine Databases (New York Times; Newspaper Source)
Background
•Look for exhibit sources in:
•Your own fieldwork
•Newspapers & Magazine
•Primary source documents
Exhibit
•Look for scholarly articles related to your topic in:
•OmniFile
•Subject specific databasesArgument
•Look for scholarly articles about methods and theories in:
•Recommended research methods texts
•OmniFile
•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