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EMS101: Critical Reading & Writing (Mulder)

This guide was specifically created to point out resources to assist students as they conduct their research assignment in EMS101.

Evaluating Sources

Evaluating the information that you find is an important part of conducting research - especially sources you find on the open web. Here are some things to keep in mind when looking at information:

  • Who is the author or publisher of this information? What background, expertise, or credentials help to prove the quality and trustworthiness of the source?
  • What type of publication does the information come from (i.e. book, journal, peer reviewed journal, magazine, website, etc.) and is it appropriate for the research?
  • When was the information published? Is the information current enough for your topic?
  • Where did the information in the publication come from? Are there references provided? Does it seem accurate or can it be checked elsewhere?
  • Why was this information published? Is it is meant to inform or persuade? Is there bias or does the information seem to be as objective as possible?
  • How will this information be helpful to your research? How is it relevant to your question or topic?

There are many different evaluation "tests" that can be used but the CRAAP Test from the California State University, Chico library provides a handy mnemonic and guide with questions to keep in mind while evaluating:

How might you use a source in your writing?

Consider using BEAM to think about how you might use a source in your writing or argument. What will a source help you do? How will you incorporate it into your writing?

The BEAM acronym stands for four possible categories that you can use to help you organize your thoughts about a source. Keep in mind that one source can fit into multiple categories or have multiple uses within your research and writing! 

B- Background

Sources which will help you lay the groundwork for your writing by helping you establish and contextualize your topic. These materials provide claims which are accepted as facts or "common knowledge" on a topic.

 Examples: Encyclopedia articles, book overviews, news, reports, etc.

E - Exhibit

Source that offers a subject or information that you will analyze or interpret.

Examples: Literature, films, poems, artwork, music, data, video, first-person accounts, etc.

A - Argument

Sources that you will engage with where you may expand on, debate, agree, or refute with the claims or information provided in the source.

Examples: Scholarly articles, books, literary criticism, etc.

M - Method

Source that can provide concepts, theories, procedures, techniques, perspectives, or methods that you can use in your work. 

Examples: Articles or books that provide a methodology, encyclopedia, philosophical or theoretical texts

 

 

 

Adapted from:

Bizup, J. (2008). BEAM: A rhetorical vocabulary for teaching research-based writing. Rhetoric Review, 27(1): 72-86. https://doi.org/10.1080/07350190701738858 

Bizup, J., Cherry, M., Chirindo, K., Gray, R.V., Haag, A., Halasek, K., Liss, K., & Rubick, K. (2019). Using BEAM to integrate information literacy and writing: A framework with cases. In Teaching​ Information Literacy and Writing Studies (p. 67–). Purdue University Press. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv15wxqwx.10