Moving toward maturity: research in technical communication

Author

MacNealy, Mary Sue

Author_Institution

Dept. of English, Memphis State Univ., TN, USA

Volume

33

Issue

4

fYear

1990

fDate

12/1/1990 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

197

Lastpage

204

Abstract

Research in technical communication in 1989 is assessed. The analysis indicates that systematic research in technical communication is still in a limited stage of development. One major problem is the lack of a clear distinction between an illustrative case and a case study in the empirical sense. In the few articles presenting systematic research, the most frequently used methodology is survey/questionnaire. Problems include sample selection and generalizability. In several studies, however, surveys were just one of several tools in a qualitative approach. While some projects were carefully designed, overall, the quality of the methodology is uneven. A comparison of the areas being researched with those designated by technical communicators as needing research revealed that more research is needed in management. Also needed is more systematic research into visual aspects of technical communication

Keywords

system documentation; technical support services; case study; empirical sense; generalizability; illustrative case; qualitative approach; sample selection; survey/questionnaire; systematic research; technical communication; technical communicators; visual aspects; Communication standards; Education; Educational institutions; On the job training; Professional communication; Project management; Rhetoric; Standards development; Turning; Writing;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Professional Communication, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0361-1434

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/47.62816

Filename

62816