Abstract

This article examines memory and distributed cognition involved in the writing practices of emergency medical services (EMS) professionals. Results from a 16-month study indicate that EMS professionals rely on distributed cognition and three kinds of memory: individual, collaborative, and professional. Distributed cognition and the three types of memory reduce cognitive workload during a 911 response, and they help evoke information as an EMS professional composes the legally binding patient care report. In addition to presenting results, the article details the author’s interaction with two institutional review boards, which influenced the study’s methods. The article argues that scholars should conduct more research on the collaborative and distributed nature of memory as it relates to workplace writing practices. Furthermore, the article calls for developing writing research methods that involve participant recollection.

Journal
Written Communication
Published
2015-01-01
DOI
10.1177/0741088314556598
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Citation Context

Cited by in this index (12)

  1. Written Communication
  2. Written Communication
  3. College English
  4. Communication Design Quarterly
  5. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
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  1. Written Communication
  2. Technical Communication Quarterly
  3. Technical Communication Quarterly
  4. Technical Communication Quarterly
  5. Written Communication
  6. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  7. Communication Design Quarterly

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