The CAAMP-PADL Method: Creating a Homegrown Source Evaluation Method for the Sciences

The CAAMP-PADL heuristic is a source evaluation method for the sciences. CAAMP-PADL uniquely draws from vertical and lateral reading practices and rhetorical techniques to create a comprehensive framework. CAAMP-PADL scaffolds current methods of source evaluation with issues specific to science documents, namely incorporating greater emphasis on material types (genre) and critically evaluating data sources. The primary goal of CAAMP-PADL was to create a homegrown source evaluation method that would meet specific pedological goals relevant to science students. CAAMP-PADL was trialed in a semester long chemistry course with an embedded librarian. This article discusses the development and implementation of CAAMP-PADL, explores how students used the method, and considers how CAAMP-PADL should be updated moving forward. This study gauged how students interacted with the method while completing their final literature review projects. The method can be more effectively implemented by ensuring that teaching strategies are employed equally across all nine CAAMP-PADL criteria.