I like researching,
Yes I do!
I like researching,
How ’bout you?!
I find it very strange that many people don’t really like to research. Like who doesn’t like gaining knowledge new topics, ideas, people, etc.
Just kidding, I don’t think these people are necessarily stupid people, but simply that they are lazier and more impatient. I actually think that intelligent people might not like research because they think they already know everything.
Anyways, my research process has immensely developed over my learning experience. If you asked me many years ago, I would have just said Google.
But now as I have matured, my research is something like this:
- Choose a topic I am passionate or inclined to learn about
- Google to read basic gist of topic information
- Use library search engines for reliable sources
- Survey people or ask people in my life their opinions and journal my findings (reflect)
- Physically going to the library to get physical books
Recently, I have stumbled upon Joseph Bizup’s system that I can’t wait to try out with my next research project. The way of researching is called BEAM.
No, not like a laser beam. The BEAM I am referring to is an acronym: backgrounds, exhibits, arguments, and methods.
Backgrounds or background sources are materials whose claims a writer accepts as facts. The author then uses these found fast as “common knowledge,” which can later be used in arguments.
Exhibits or exhibit sources are materials a writer offers for explications, analysis, or interpretation. Therefore, exhibits are commonly referred as one’s “evidence” or “examples,” which add to a writers conversation.
Arguments or argument sources are materials whose claims a writer affirms, disputes, refines, or extends in some way. One would naturally say that arguments are just “conversations,” and can even just be commonly held views.
Methods or method sources are materials from which a writer derives a governing concept or manner of working. In other words, methods are simply just influential concepts that may enter into the general language of disciplines or professions, which allows them to lose their ties to specific sources.
BEAM is the framework for readings, being that strong writing depends on strong critical reading skills. Consequently, BEAM acts as a framework for writing. The framework for critical reading also make useful as a framework for writing. The best academic papers are normally those that analyze specific exhibits in order to further conversations embodied in specific constellations of argument sources. In my opinion, I think BEAM will allow me to successfully accomplish a strong academic paper.