LIBRARY
Research
BLST 09: Blackness in and Out of the Museum
Christina Bush
Black Studies Librarian
Agenda
- Introduction to Librarian/Contact Info
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Search Strategies/Situating Your Argument
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Tripod
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Databases
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Subject Databases
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On Evaluation: BEAM/CRAAP/SIFT
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Primary Source Resources at the TriCo
- 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
hOW DO YOU TYPICALLY MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT THE SOURCES YOU USE?
On evlaluation
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. Ask questions if you are uncertain.
- Read laterally!
- Read the source itself!
PRIMARY SOURCE RESOURCES @SWAT
BROWSE?
Many resources will have a "browse" or "explore" feature that can acquaint you with the materials as well as the platform if you are unfamiliar
dON'T FORGET TO EVALUATE WHAT YOU FIND
BEAM/CRAAP/SIFT!
HOW DO YOU CITE A PRIMARY SOURCE?
Questions?
Christina Bush
cbush1@swarthmore.edu