For a given q ∈ [0, 1], the q-numerical range of an n × n complex matrix A is defined by* y = q}, and it is closely related with the Davis-Wielandt shell of. In this paper, we investigate systematically the q-numerical range of the 3 × 3 matrixand obtain the equation of its boundary by taking advantage of the special shape of W (A(α), A(α) * A(α)). Furthermore, a parametric representation of ∂F q (A(α)) and the construction of a 4 × 4 matrix B q such that Fq(A(α)) = F1(Bq) are discussed. The q-numerical range of a certain normal operator on an infinite Hilbert space of complex valued (Lebesgue) measurable functions is also considered.