Help: What Works Clearinghouse

The WWC reviews research on today’s most pressing topics in education.

(Not sure about a WWC term? View our Glossary of Terms.)

To see a list of all WWC topics:

1. Start on the Topics page.

   Select “Topics” from the main menu at the top of the page.
    
   
    
   (When you hover over the word “Topics” in the menu, a complete list of the WWC topics is displayed. You can select a topic from this menu, or you can open the Topics page. )

2. Scroll down the page.

   Scroll down to see a list of topics and their characteristics. The topic name links to a page listing all related WWC publications.

3. Still haven’t found what you are looking for? Search for a topic.
   
   
   
   1. Scroll down to “Find WWC Topics.”
      
      
   2. Enter a keyword.

      Type your keyword into the box labeled Type keyword.

   3. Limit search results by outcome.

      Each item reviewed is intended to improve specific student outcomes. For example, items reviewed for early childhood education are intended to improve language abilities and social-emotional development. If you are interested in a particular student outcome, select that outcome from the drop-down menu.

   4. Search.

      Click the search button to see your results.

   5. Refine your search.

      Did you get too many results? Try more specific keywords and search again.

   6. Read the results.

      Do you see your topic in the results? The topic name links to a listing of all related WWC publications.

   7. Seach again.

      Click “Reset Search” to remove all selections and keywords to start a new search.

Studies reviewed by the WWC examine whether a program, product, practice, or policy is effective. WWC reviews use rigorous standards to find high quality research that provides evidence of effectiveness.

(Not sure about a WWC term? View our Glossary of Terms.)

To find a study reviewed by the WWC:

1. Open to the Research Studies page.

   Select “Research Studies” from the “Publications and Reviews” menu in the main menu bar at the top of the page.

   
2. Scroll down.

   Scroll down to “Find a study reviewed by the WWC.”

   
    
   
3. Enter a keyword.

   Do you know where the study was published? The name of an author? The topic examined? Type your keywords into the box labeled Type keyword.

4. Narrow your search.

   Select a topic from the drop-down menu to limit your results to studies in a certain topic area. Use the study rating menu to limit results to studies meeting WWC research standards.

5. Search.

   Click the search button to see your results.

6. Refine your search.

   Did you get too many results? Try more specific keywords. Search again.

7. Read the results.

   Do you see your study in the results? Below the citation, you will see the rating given to the study by the WWC. Follow the links to the report for which the study was reviewed, or the protocol that was used to review it.

8. Search again.

   Click “Reset Search” to remove all selections and keywords to start a new search.

The WWC reviews research on today’s most pressing topics in education.

(Not sure about a WWC term? View our Glossary of Terms.)

To see a list of all WWC publications:

1. Start on the Publications & Reviews page.

   Select “Publications & Reviews” from the main menu at the top of the page.
    
   

2. Scroll down the page.

   Scroll down to see a list of publications and their characteristics.

3. Still haven’t found what you are looking for? Search for a publication.
   
   
   1. Scroll down to “Find WWC Publications & Reviews.”
      
      
   2. Enter a keyword.

      Type your keyword into the box labeled Type keyword.

   3. Limit search results by topic.

      Each publication falls within an education topic. For example, a report on an intervention to help adolescent readers would be within the literacy topic. If you are interested in a particular education topic, select it from the drop-down menu.

   4. Search.

      Click the search button to see your results.

   5. Refine your search.

      Did you get too many results? Try more specific keywords and search again.

   6. Read the results.

      Do you see your publication in the results? The publication name links to a summary of the publication, where you can also download the full report.

   7. Seach again.

      Click “Reset Search” to remove all selections and keywords to start a new search.

To find out whether education research in the news meets evidence standards, consult the WWC Quick Reviews.

(Not sure about a WWC term? View our Glossary of Terms.)

To find a quick review of a recent study:

1. Start on the Publications and Reviews page.

   Select “Publications and Reviews” on the main menu bar at the top of the page.

   
    
   
2. Scroll down.

   Scroll down to “Find WWC Publications and Reviews.”

   
    
   
3. Enter a keyword.

   Do you know the name of the study reviewed? The topic it covers? Type your keywords into the search box.

4. Limit search results by topic.

   Select a topic from the drop-down menu.

5. Search.

   Click the search button to see your results.

6. Scroll down and select the Quick Review tab.
   
    
   
7. Refine your search.

   Did you get too many results? Try more specific keywords. Search again.

8. Read the results.

   Do you see what you were looking for in the results? The name of a quick review links to a summary of the study, relevant grade level, and the WWC’s evidence rating. You will also be able to download the PDF of the full review.

9. Seach again.

   Click “Reset Search” to remove all selections and keywords to start a new search.

Practice guides help educators tackle everyday classroom and school challenges, offer strategies for overcoming potential roadblocks, and provide an indication of the strength of evidence supporting each recommendation.

The Doing What Works website translates research-based practices into practical tools to improve classroom instruction for some of our practice guides.

(Not sure about a WWC term? View our Glossary of Terms.)

To find a practice guide:

1. Start on the Publications and Reviews page.

   Select “Publications and Reviews” on the main menu bar at the top of the page.

   
    
   
2. Scroll down.

   Scroll down to “Find WWC Publications and Reviews.”

   
    
   
3. Enter a keyword.

   Do you know the name of the practice guide? The topic it covers? Type your keywords into the search box.

4. Limit search results by topic.

   Select a topic from the drop-down menu.

5. Search.

    Click the search button to see your results.

6. Scroll down.

   Scroll down and select the Practice Guide tab.

   
    
   
7. Refine your search.

   Did you get too many results? Try more specific keywords. Search again.

8. Read the results.

   Do you see the practice guide you were looking for in the results? The name of the guide links to a summary of the guide, including recommendations, relevant grade level, and consulting experts who helped develop it. You will also be able to download a PDF of the guide

9. Seach again.

   Click “Reset Search” to remove all selections and keywords to start a new search.

There are multiple ways to find definitions for terms used on the What Works Clearinghouse site.

Words with a gray, dashed underline are defined in the WWC glossary. Position your cursor over one of these words to see its definition. For example, postition your cursor over intervention to see the WWC definition of the word.

The box of “Handy Definitions” on the right side of many pages lists terms used on the page. Select the term to see the definition.

The Glossary of Terms has a complete list of terms defined by the WWC.

1. Start on the Glossary of Terms page.

   Select “Glossary of Terms” from the “Help” menu at the top of the page.

   
   
2. Select (click) a letter.

   The page will jump to the section of terms beginning with that letter.

3. Select (click) the word.

   The definition will appear, detailing the term in the context of the WWC’s work.

WWC reviews assess the quality of education research, and report on what the evidence indicates about the effectiveness of programs, policies, and practices.

(Not sure about a WWC term? View our Glossary of Terms.)

To learn more about the WWC's review process and standards:

1. Start on the Review Process page.

   Select “Review Process” on the main menu bar at the top of the page. On this page you will find a step-by-step explanation of the review process.

   
    
   
2. Download the WWC Procedures and Standards Handbook.

   Need more detail on our procedures and standards? The handbook describes the structure and processes the WWC uses for its reviews.

3. Still haven’t found what you are looking for? Search our reference documents.
   
   
   1. Scroll down to “Find a Review Protocol, Standards, or Reference Document.”
      
      
       
      
   2. Enter a keyword.

      Do you know the name of the review protocol? The topic it covers? Type your keywords into the search box.

   3. Search.

      Click the search button to see your results.

   4. Select the publication type.

      Select the tab for Review Protocols (protocols define the scope of a topic area review) or Reference Resources, depending on what you are looking for.

      
       
      
   5. Refine your search.

      Did you get too many results? Try more specific keywords. Search again.

   6. Read the results.

      Do you see the document you werelooking for? The document title links to a page with an overview and other details. You will also be able to access an HTML version or download a PDF of the report (if available).

   7. Seach again.

      Click “Reset Search” to remove all selections and keywords to start a new search.

The WWC releases new reports throughout the year, and also participates in conferences, webinars, and other events. Use our news and events archive to find our reports and activities over time.

(Not sure about a WWC term? View our Glossary of Terms.)

To see a list of all WWC news & events:

1. Start on the News & Events page.

   Select “News & Events” from the main menu at the top of the page.
    
   

2. Scroll down the page.

   Scroll down to see a list of the WWC’s most recent events.

3. Still haven’t found what you are looking for? Search for an event.
   
   
   
   1. Scroll down to “Search the News & Events Archive.”
      
      
   2. Enter a keyword.

      Type your keyword into the box labeled Type keyword.

   3. Limit search results by month.

      Select the month from the drop-down.

   4. Search.

      Click the search button to see your results.

   5. Refine your search.

      Did you get too many results? Try more specific keywords and search again.

   6. Read the results.

      Do you see your event in the results? The event name links to more information.

   7. Seach again.

      Click “Reset Search” to remove all selections and keywords to start a new search.

Use our Find What Works (FWW) search tool to see the bottom-line results of our reviews of hundreds of education programs, with filters and sorting features to help focus on the information that’s most useful for you.

(Not sure about a WWC term? View our Glossary of Terms.)

1. Start on the Find What Works page.

   Select “Find What Works!” from the “Publications & Reviews” menu at the top of the page.
   
   

2. Follow the directions on the FWW’s page on how to find what works.
    
   
3. Look for the “?”, “Report Help”, and “Glossary” buttons.

   Need more detailed help? The “?” button in the top left corner of the left hand menu links to in-depth instructions for using FWW. More help is available once you create your report. Look for the “Report Help” and “Glossary” buttons at the top of each report. As on other pages, whenever you see a word with a gray, dashed underline, position your cursor over the word to see its definition.