Journal of Business and Technical Communication Apr 2017

Big Data, Technical Communication, and the Smart City

Jordan Frith University of North Texas

Abstract

Big data is one of the most hyped buzzwords in both academia and industry. This article makes an early contribution to research on big data by situating data theoretically as a historical object and arguing that much of the discourse about the supposed transparency and objectivity of big data ignores the crucial roles of interpretation and communication. To set forth that analysis, this article engages with recent discussion of big data and “smart” cities to show the communicative practices operating behind the scenes of large data projects and relate those practices to the profession of technical communication.

Journal
Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Published
2017-04-01
DOI
10.1177/1050651916682285
Open Access
Closed
Topics
technical communication

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (10)

  1. Swarts (2025)
    The Construction of Data Usability
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  2. Lindgren et al. (2025)
    Technical Communication's Fight Against Extractive Large Language Modeling by A…
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  3. Lindgren (2024)
    A Stasis Network Methodology to Reckon with the Rhetorical Process of Data: How…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  4. Wright (2024)
    Perspectives on Usability Testing with IoT Devices in Technical Communication Courses
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  5. Sorapure (2023)
    User Perceptions of Actionability in Data Dashboards
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Show all 10 →
  1. Tillery et al. (2022)
    Hyperrationality and Rhetorical Constellations in Digital Climate Change Denial…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  2. Verhulsdonck et al. (2022)
    Tactical (Dis)connection in Smart Cities: Postconnectivist Technical Communicat…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  3. Li (2022)
    Defining the racial and ethnic “other”: Constructing an American identity throu…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  4. Verhulsdonck et al. (2021)
    Lean Data Visualization: Considering Actionable Metrics for Technical Communication
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  5. Lawrence et al. (2019)
    Communicating Campus Sexual Assault: A Mixed Methods Rhetorical Analysis
    Technical Communication Quarterly

Cites in this index (6)

  1. Andersen (2014)
    Rhetorical Work in the Age of Content Management
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  2. McCarthy et al. (2011)
    Content Management in the Workplace
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  3. Panke et al. (2009)
    ``With My Head Up in the Clouds''
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  4. Jeyaraj (2004)
    Liminality and Othering
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  5. Salvo (2004)
    Rhetorical Action in Professional Space
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Show all 6 →
  1. Blyler (1995)
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    Technical Communication Quarterly
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CrossRef global citation count: 35 View in citation network →

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