Classifying Sources: the BAAM Method

Title

Classifying Sources: the BAAM Method
Description This is an activity that uses the framework of BAAM* as a way of helping the students to understand how they would use different kinds of sources in their research papers. BAAM is a way of classifying sources as: Background; Artifact; Argument; Method. The BAAM method is introduced to students before hands-on searching, and then afterwards, as the students begin classifying their results. *Note: We have modified BAAM from Joseph Bizup’s BEAM Method. Substituting Exhibit for Artifact.
Steps
  1. Provide students with the worksheet.  Explain the different categories, using examples which are relevant to the course content or assignment
  2. Teach the navigation/research portion of the class
  3. At the end of the allotted time, have students volunteer some of their search results and how they will be used according to the BAAM classification
  4. Ask them questions, e.g. “Who has research which is an example of ‘background’,” “Who has research which is an example of ‘artifact’,” etc.
Tags  evaluating-sources; beyond-google; in-class
Time 20-25 minutes total (1o minutes to explain concept; 10-15 minutes to discuss at end of class)
Attachments noun_229116BAAM Worksheet