watwaarom

Watwaarom is a term used in Dutch-language discourse to describe a questioning approach that combines what-questions with why-questions. It functions as a methodological label for moving from empirical observation to causal explanation, encouraging a sequence that starts with descriptive facts and then seeks underlying causes, motivations, or consequences. While not a formal theory, watwaarom is discussed as a practical heuristic in education, journalism, and research.

The word is a compound of wat and waarom, two common Dutch question words. As a label, it does not specify a single method but rather a family of practices that vary by field. In education, it often appears as a two-step exercise: first, describe what happened; second, explain why it happened.

In classrooms, watwaarom prompts students to state what they observed and then propose explanatory factors such as causes, conditions, or effects. In journalism, it can structure investigations by tracing events to their drivers. In research, it supports design by linking data collection to hypotheses about causation. The approach emphasizes connecting factual descriptions to interpretations and outcomes, rather than stopping at surface-level summaries.

Related concepts include causal reasoning, inquiry-based learning, and the five whys technique. There is not a single standardized definition, and practitioners may emphasize different steps or criteria for evidence. Some critiques warn that premature jumping to why questions can obscure descriptive accuracy or overlook alternative explanations.