CATWOE makes a proposed purposeful system explicit through affected people, actors, transformation, worldview, authority, and constraints. Use it to examine whether a root definition is coherent and whose purpose it serves. A completed mnemonic does not resolve competing viewpoints or establish that one interpretation is correct.
- FamilyTool
- Category of its source unitResearch & Analysis Methods
- DomainOrganization & Structure
What these mean
Editorial orientation · Family
Tool
In this series, Tool names the editorial family primarily used to act on, examine, measure or organize communication. It includes instruments, methods, practices, protocols, codes and institutional arrangements. Membership does not certify effectiveness, portability or safe use in every setting.
Editorial orientation · Category
Research & Analysis Methods
Establishes procedures for collecting, coding, comparing or interpreting information for inquiry or analysis. Its contribution is a defensible route from observations or materials to an account, finding or interpretation.