WWC Study Review GuidesUnderlying all What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) products are WWC Study Review Guides, which are intended for use by WWC certified reviewers to assess studies against the WWC evidence standards.
As part of an ongoing effort to increase transparency, promote collaboration, and encourage widespread use of the WWC standards, the Institute of Education Sciences provides external users with access to the WWC Study Review Guides for conducting reviews of group design studies, single-case design (SCD) studies, and regression discontinuity design (RDD) studies. Reviewers use the Study Review Guide to document the characteristics of studies, including features that pertain to a study's eligibility under a WWC protocol. The Study Review Guide assists the reviewer in assessing the study design and implementation against the WWC standards, and coding the study findings in a systematic manner consistent with WWC reporting guidelines.
The WWC Study Review Guide is intended to be used by individuals trained and certified in WWC review policies and procedures, in conjunction with WWC review protocols and the WWC Procedures and Standards Handbooks.
Study Review Guide for Group Design Studies
The Study Review Guide for group design studies—randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental designs (QEDs)—is a web-based tool and supports reviews against the Version 3.0, Version 4.0, Version 4.1, and Version 5.0 group design standards. The public version of the Version 3.0 and Version 4.0 Study Review Guide is available using the link below. Access to the Version 4.1 and Version 5.0 Study Review Guide is available only to authorized users. The User Guide provides an overview and tips for completing reviews in the Study Review Guide.
Study Review Guide for Single-Case Designs
The Study Review Guide for single-case design studies is an Excel spreadsheet. The Study Review Guide supports reviews against the Version 4.1 and Version 5.0 single-case design standards.
- Study Review Guide Instructions for Single-Case Designs, Version 4.1
- Study Review Guide for Single-Case Designs, Version 4.1 [Updated March 2021]
- Study Review Guide for Single-Case Designs, Version 5.0 [Updated February 2024]
Study Review Guide for Regression Discontinuity Designs
The Study Review Guide for regression discontinuity design studies is an Excel spreadsheet. The Study Review Guide supports reviews against the Version 4.1 and Version 5.0 regression discontinuity design standards.