"Who? What? Where? When? Why?
How?" (5W1H)
Craft and ask relevant questions
with '5W1H'. Some examples
on how you can apply 5W1H to define and explore the 'theme' broadly are
shown below.
WHAT?
Digs out definitions and provides
understanding, clarity, functionalities, processes of the theme.
- What is the meaning / definition of
this word / phrase? e.g. 'entertainment'.
- What is related
to...?
- What does ... do?
- What does ... look /
feel like?
- What is the process
of ...?
- What problems do
people face with ...?
- What could be the
problems faced when showing ...?
- What could be the
frustration with ... be?
- What else is related
to ...?
- (Research outline question #1/3) What do
I know about ...?
- (Research outline question #2/3) What I
do not know ...?
- (Research outline question #3/3) What do
I need for find out about ...?
- Converting to a design challenge question by
asking "What if...?"
WHERE?
Locates the sphere of influence. The
locations, the place, the space, the environment.
- Where might we find
...?
- Where does ... take
place?
- Where else might ...
take place?
WHEN?
Specifies the time. Past, Present and
Future.
- When does ...
start / stop?
- When does /does ...
not happen?
- When else does ... /
does not happen?
- When will the
activity be considered ... and when it is not?
- Is there a good / bad time for ...?
WHO?
Focuses on Target Users / Target
Groups / leading to design NEEDS.
- Who is / are
involved in ...?
- Who are the people
involved in ...?
- Who can / cannot be
involved in ...?
- Who are the
receiving end of ...?
- Who else are
involved in ...?
- Leads to Design Needs analysis
using P.I.E.S
WHY?
Getting to the hard facts and evidence
and the root cause. Seeking fine clarify.
- Why is there a need
for ...?
- Why can't ... be
...?
- "5 Whys"
technique: challenge assumptions and finding out root causes.
- Converting to a design challenge question by
asking "Why not...?".
HOW?
Questions on functionality, processes,
methods, techniques.
- How does one know if
he/she is being shown ...?
- How is ... done?
- How is ... achieved?
- How is ... so?
- How else can one
show / be shown ...?
Yes
or No Question
An interrogative construction that expects an answer of "yes" or
"no." Contrast with wh- question.
In yes-no questions, an auxiliary verb typically appears in
front of the subject--a formation called subject-auxiliary
inversion (SAI).
See also:
Examples and
Observations:
- Homer: Are you an angel?
Moe: Yes, Homer. All us angels wear Farrah slacks.
(The Simpsons)
- "Directing a movie is a
very overrated job, we all know it. You just have to say 'yes' or 'no.'
What else do you do? Nothing. 'Maestro, should this be red?' Yes. 'Green?'
No. 'More extras?' Yes. 'More lipstick?' No. Yes. No. Yes. No. That's
directing."
(Judi Dench as Liliane La Fleur in Nine, 2009)
- Principal McGee: Are you just going to
stand there all day?
Sonny: No ma'am. I mean, yes ma'am. I mean, no ma'am.
Principal McGee: Well, which is it?
Sonny: Um, no ma'am.
(Eve Arden and Michael Tucci in Grease, 1978)
