Do 5W+H Commute? Examples in Calculus and Communication of Science

Abstract

Scientific communication relies on two main different structures, the IMRAD (Introduction Methods Results Analysis Discussion) and the 5W+H (Who Where Why What When How). The former is quite rigidly applied to all peer-to-peer communication, while the latter appears more loosely adaptable to dissemination and communication to the general public. We analyzed the evolution of the content of Calculus books widely adopted in Italian scientific academic courses over the past sixty years and the syllabus of a Communication of Science short course offered by the University of Bari in the last three years. We conclude that the 5Ws can be commuted to some extend with no harm to final result, while the same does not hold for the H that should always remain as the final question. Notwithstanding this flexibility, it is compulsory to answer to all 5Ws and H questions for effective communication.