3WH – Who; What; When; How [study conducted]
The 3WH framework is a commonly used tool in research to gather and present information about a particular topic. It consists of four questions that are essential for providing a comprehensive overview of a study: Who, What, When, and How.
The first question is, Who aims to identify the participants or subjects of the study. This question is crucial in determining the scope and relevance of the research. Knowing who is involved in the study helps to understand the target population and potential biases. Researchers need to be transparent about the demographic characteristics of their participants and any exclusion criteria used to ensure that their findings can be generalized.
The second question, What seeks to identify the main focus or objective of the study. This question is critical in determining the purpose of the research and what information the researchers are trying to uncover. It is also essential for establishing the research question or hypothesis that guides the study. Knowing what is being studied helps readers understand the significance and relevance of the research.
The third question, When, is related to the timing of the study. It is essential to know when the study was conducted and what the time frame of the study was. This information is necessary for understanding the research context and its relevance to current events. The timing of the study can also help to determine the validity and generalizability of the findings.
The fourth question, How, aims to identify the methodology and procedures used in the study. This question is critical in determining the credibility and reliability of the research. Researchers need to be transparent about their research methods and provide detailed descriptions of the data collection and analysis procedures used. This information helps readers evaluate the quality of the research and the strength of its conclusions.
In summary, the 3WH framework helps present information about research studies. By answering the Who, What, When, and How questions, researchers can provide a comprehensive overview of their study and help readers understand the context and significance of their research.