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INTL 203: Foundations & World Politics (with Dr. Rachel Vanderhill)

BEAM Model--for evaluating information resources

The BEAM Method helps you evaluate information resources depending on the purposes they can serve for you.  Some resources may serve more than one purpose:

  • Background information?
  • Evidence or Exhibit?
  • Argument (or Analysis or Viewpoint or Opinion)?
  • Method (or Theory or Lens)?

For details on using the BEAM Model for evaluating information resources--a short video and a short checklist borrowed from Williams University Library and Portland State University Library.

Questions to Ask Regarding Your Group's Resource

About the Author

  • Who is the author?  What are the author's credentials?
  • How reputable, or trustworthy, is the publisher the author has chosen? 
  • What besides the given resource has the author written concerning North Korea or its nuclear defense program?

About the Resource

  • What useful information does the resource provide?  Useful to you in what way?
  • Is the resource trying to persuade you of anything?
  • Does the resource seem to be written with a particular audience in mind?  If so, how would you describe that audience?
  • Does the resource tell you where it gets its information?  How easy would it be for you to track its sources down?
  • Does the resource discuss or even mention opposing viewpoints?

In relation to BEAM Model, how could you use the resource?

  • Background information?
  • Evidence or Exhibit?
  • Argument (or Analysis or Viewpoint or Opinion)?
  • Method (or Theory or Lens)?
  • What information or ideas does the resource give you to investigate further?
  • Does the resource give you anything that you might want to turn into a topic for a project?