Determining which source to use for your research can be challenging. It's important to remember that valid information can come in different forms from many source types. Different sources have different strengths and weaknesses depending on your research needs and your audience.
Do you need...
Reflect upon your research needs:
The answers to these questions will change throughout your research.
You can use CORE to evaluate factors such as timeliness and accuracy when deciding whether to include a source in your annotated bibliography. This information can be helpful for writing the annotation.
You can use BEAM to decide how you'll use information in your source. This can be helpful for writing the commentary section for your annotated bibliography.
BEAM stands for Background, Exhibit, Argument, and Method. The table below has a quick breakdown of how BEAM can be used as part of your research.
BEAM Category |
Explanation |
Example |
|---|---|---|
| Background | Sources that provide foundational and contextual information. |
An encyclopedia or dictionary entry that provides an overview of a theologian's life or define a term. A book that provides background or contextual information. |
| Exhibit | Sources that can be used to provide evidence for an argument/claim. | A primary source created by a theologian that discusses their theology or other contribution. |
| Argument | Sources that you engage with for their argument/claim. | A scholarly article or review that discusses the impact of the theologian's work. |
| Method | Sources that can be used to provide a framework, perspective, or analysis. |
A framework such as BEAM that analyzes a source. A critical lens such as feminist theory or an intersectional approach. |
Cudahy Library, Rm 108
773.508.2677
African Studies and the African Diaspora, Anthropology, Criminal Justice &
Criminology, Pastoral Studies, Theology & Religion
