Heard fellows: introduction to LIBRARY
Research
Christina Bush
Research and Instruction Librarian
September 9, 2025
Agenda
- Introduction to Librarian/Contact Info
- Survey Results
- Your Questions
- Library Website
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Common Information Resources:
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Google Scholar
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Tripod
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Research Guides
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Databases
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On Evaluation: BEAM/CRAAP/SIFT
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Citation Style Guide (for reference)
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Final Questions
Who I am
- Christina Bush (she/her/hers)
- Research + Instruction Librarian, Liaison to Black Studies, Educational Studies, Psychology
- email me: cbush1@swarthmore.edu
- Make an appointment with me here
survey results
survey results
policy Data
(Policy memos/Research Briefs)
On evaluation
beam
- BACKGROUND: use a source to provide factual and "noncontroversial" information or context
- EVIDENCE: using Data, observations, objects, artifacts, documents that can be analyzed
- ARGUMENT:using the Critical views from other scholars and commentators; part of the academic conversation
- METHOD: using a source’s way of analyzing an issue to apply to your own issue.
you can think of BEAM as both directive or how you approach and engage in the search process and evaluative, helping you to assess what you have found
craap
- CURRENCY
- RELEVANCE
- AUTHORITY
- ACCUARCY
- PURPOSE
think of CRAAP as an evaluative rubric once you've identified a source
SIFT
- STOP
- INVESTIGATE
- FIND (Better coverage)
- TRACE
SIFT is particularly applicable to online sources that may have more nebulous provenance/origins
LATERAL READING
IN SUMMARY: Strategies for choosing the best source
- Review the expectations of the assignment/task. (Ask questions if you are uncertain)
- Read laterally!
- Read the source itself!
dON'T FORGET TO EVALUATE WHAT YOU FIND
BEAM/CRAAP/SIFT!
Questions?
Christina Bush
cbush1@swarthmore.edu