Abstract

Researchers in technical communication have recently begun to take advantage of the interactions taking place via computer-mediated communication as a rich source for research. Yet, although research in cyberspace is growing, there are few guidelines for researchers to follow. This article reviews three forms of technical communication research methods (ethnography, rhetorical analysis, and surveys) and raises preliminary issues to consider when using such research methods in cyberspace. These issues include privacy and author permissions.

Journal
Technical Communication Quarterly
Published
1997-10-01
DOI
10.1207/s15427625tcq0604_3
CompPile
Search in CompPile ↗
Open Access
Closed
Topics
Export

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (2)

  1. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  2. Computers and Composition

References (49) · 4 in this index

  1. 10.1080/713856146
    The Infanation Society  
  2. Anderson, James A. Communication Research: Issues and M e M . New York: McGraw-Hill, 1987.
  3. Babbie, Earl. Suwey Research Methods. 2nd ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 1990.
  4. 10.1080/911232343
    The Information Society  
  5. Burke, Kenneth L. Language us Symbolic Action. Berkeley: U California P, 1966.
Show all 49 →
  1. Cavazos, Edward A., and Gavino Morin. Cyberspace and the Law: Your Rights and Duties in the On-fine World. Ca…
  2. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  3. Dillman, Don A. Mail and Telephone Surveys: The Total Design Method. New York: John Wiley 6r Sons, 1978.
  4. Doheny-Farina, Stephen, and Lee Odell. "Ethnographic Research on Writing: Assumptions." Writing in Nonacddemi…
  5. Fowler, Floyd J., Jr. Survey Research Methods. 2nd ed. Newbury Park, CA: Sage, 1993.
  6. Geertz, C. The Interpretation ofcultures. New York: Basic Books, 1973.
  7. - Local Knowledge. New York: Basic Books, 1983.
  8. Gurak, Laura J. Persuasion and Privacy in Cyberspace: The online Protests Over Lotus Marketplace and the Clip…
  9. Computers and Composition
  10. Rhetoric Review
  11. Harding, Darcey C. RE: Special Issue of Technical Communication CFF'. E-mail message to author. 24 Oct. 1995.
  12. Hart, R. P. Modern Rhetorical Criticism. Glenview: Scott, Foresman and Company, 1990.
  13. Technicd Communication
  14. Herring, Susan. "Bringing Familiar Baggage to the New Frontier: Gender Differences in Computer Mediated Commu…
  15. 10.1080/911232343
    The Information Society  
  16. House, E. R. "An Ethics of Qualitative Field Studies." The Parudigm Dialog. Ed. Egon G. Guba. Newbury Park, C…
  17. 10.1080/713856145
    The Information Society  
  18. 10.2307/1191780
  19. 10.2307/358295
    Cokge Composition and Communicdtion  
  20. Technical Communication
  21. McDowell, Earl E. Research Methods in Scientific and T e c h d Communicutim. Edina, MN: Burgess, 1993.
  22. 10.1080/00335638409383699
    Q u u m l y Journal of Speech  
  23. Miller, Carolyn. "What's Practical About Technical Writing?" Technical Writing: Theory and Practice. Ed. Bert…
  24. Miller, Carolyn, and Jack Selzer. "Special Topics of Argument in Engineering Reports." Writing in Notldcademi…
  25. Technical Communication Quarterly
  26. Mitchell, Tony, Marcin Paprzycki, and George Duckett. "Research Methods Using Computer Networks." Arachnet El…
  27. Norman, Rose L., and Freda F. Stohrer. "Survey of Graduate and Undergraduate Internships in Technical Communi…
  28. Penkoff, Diane Witmer, Robert W. Colman, and Sandra Lee Katzman. "From Paper-and-Pencil to Screen-and-Keyboar…
  29. Technical Communication
  30. Rea, Louis M., and Richard A. Parker. Designing and Conducting Survey Research: A Comprehensive Guide. San Fr…
  31. 10.1080/713856138
    The Informdon Society  
  32. Technical Communicdtion
  33. 10.1145/256175.256190
  34. Technical Communication
  35. Smith, L. H. "Ethics, Field Studies, and the Paradigm Crisis." The Pardgm W g . Ed. Egon G. Guba. Newbury Par…
  36. Technical Communicutiun
  37. Technical Communication
  38. 10.1080/713856137
    The Inf...ari.. Society  
  39. Turkle, Sherry. Life on the Screen: Identity in the Age of the Internet. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1995.
  40. Van Gelder, Lindsay. "The Strange Case of the Electronic Lover." Talking to Strangers: Mediated Therapeutic C…
  41. 10.1080/713856142
    The Information Society  
  42. Woodmansee, Martha, and Peter Jaszi. `The Law of Texts: Copyright in the Academy." College Englrsh 57 (1995):…
  43. Privacy in Cy;berspace (Yale UP, 1997).
  44. editor of the Winter 1996 issue of Technical Communication, which focused on