Library Research Guides: CAMS 201: Technologies of Cinema &amp; Media: How Do I Find Relevant Sources?

Finding Sources through the Library

You have access to 365 databases through the Wellesley College Library, in addition to our library catalog of books, videos, and more! Many of these databases are focused on scholarly journal articles and books, while others contain newspapers, magazines, encyclopedias, videos, primary sources, and more. Some of the content from some of these databases can be searched through SuperSearch, but SuperSearch is not comprehensive. Use the tabs on this guide to find out more about different search strategies and tools.

BEAM: Finding Useful Sources

As you're looking for sources, it can be helpful to think about them in terms of the different ways you will use them. The BEAM model can help you think about the different purposes that sources serve in your writing.

The BEAM Model for Using Sources
This handout outlines ways to think about how scholars incorporate sources into their writing!

Developed by Joseph Bizup, the acronym BEAM stands for:
B - Background sources
E - Exhibit sources (sources that set up a claim or that you use as an example)
A - Argument sources (sources you engage with and add to, contradict, etc.)
M - Methods sources (sometimes called theory sources, if you want to think of this as BEAT!)