A literature survey on experimental data and analytical studies of the structural behaviour of wood framed shear walls and diaphragms has been carried out. The utility of various analytical methods for the study of internal forces in these structural elements due to external static or dynamic forces has been noted. It also has been concluded that the complexity of these analytical methods precludes their use as a tool for standard designs on a daily basis. For these standard designs currently established design methods will likely be continued to be used for some time. Establishment of design data by means of testing for panel thicknesses currently not included in the Canadian design code is recommended.