Journal of Business and Technical Communication Oct 2009

Understanding Public Policy Development as a Technological Process

Miriam F. Williams

Abstract

This article discusses public policy writing as a genre of technical communication and, specifically, public policy development as a technological process. It cites DeGregori’s theory of technology to demonstrate the shared invention processes of technology and public policy, the work of public policy scholars to describe the policy-development process, and the work of human—computer interaction scholars to identify cognitive models of public policy development as a technological process. The article concludes with a discussion of e-rulemaking Web sites and the role of technical communicators in creating these blended spaces.

Journal
Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Published
2009-10-01
DOI
10.1177/1050651909338809
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Topics
genre theory technical communication digital rhetoric
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Citation Context

Cited by in this index (7)

  1. Williams (2026)
    Canon to Code: Rhetorical Rulemaking for Generative AI Content Audits and Governance
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  2. Robledo et al. (2025)
    Critical and Creative Quantum Literacies
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  3. Spinuzzi et al. (2025)
    “The City Residents Do Not Get Involved”: Understanding Barriers to Community P…
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  4. Stevens (2022)
    “I Don't Have a Gun Stop Shooting”: Rhetorical Analysis of Law Enforcement Use …
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  5. Williams (2022)
    Gun Control and Gun Rights: A Conceptual Framework for Analyzing Public Policy …
    Technical Communication Quarterly
Show all 7 →
  1. Harlow (2015)
    Topoi and the Reconciliation of Expertise: A Model for the Development of Rheto…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  2. Williams (2012)
    Game Theory and Technical Communication: Interpreting the Texas Two-Step throug…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication

References (18) · 8 in this index

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    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
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  5. Dombrowski (1991)
    The lessons of the Challenger investigations
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
Show all 18 →
  1. Imaz, M. (2007)
    Designing with blends: Conceptual foundations of human- computer interaction and software…
  2. Johnson, W.C. (1992)
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  3. Kerwin, C. (2003)
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  5. Martin et al. (1994)
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    Technical Communication Quarterly
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    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  8. Rude (1997)
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  9. Rude (2004)
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    Technical Communication Quarterly
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  11. (2008)
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    Tracing W. E. B. DuBois' “Color Line” in Government Regulations
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  13. Yeats, D. (2008)
    Technical Communication
CrossRef global citation count: 16 View in citation network → Build reading path →

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