PADstone 184

The CCOW method can be used to evaluate any source for appropriateness. Below is an overview on how to apply the method, see the guide for more detail.

Credentials - Investigate the credentials of whoever created the information with questions like:

• Do they have experience or expertise in the subject they're discussing? Do they work in a field that qualifies them to talk about the subject?
• What's their educational background? Do they have an advanced degree in the subject under discussion?
• Do they have any other experience that might make them a good source of information? For instance, an eyewitness to an earthquake doesn't have to be a seismologist to give good information about what it was like to experience that event.

Claims - What claims are they making? Is the information they're providing accurate? Can we verify its accuracy?

Objectives - What did they hope to accomplish by creating the information?

Worldview - This element is connected to objectives in that it deals with bias and examining potential bias behind a publication. Every source will have some degree of bias and that's expected, the questions you're asking here are: How does this source frame the situation? What language are they using that helps me understand their perspective or worldview?

Evaluate the following article using the CCOW Method:

Kamenetz, A. (2016, November 2). How college friendships may affect student success. NPR. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2016/11/02/499351266/how-college-friendships-may-affect-student-success

1. What conclusions can you draw about the article?

Complete this brief survey at the end of the library session.

End of Session Survey