Journal of Business and Technical Communication Apr 2009

Practitioner Research Instruction

Rachel Spilka University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee

Abstract

Most technical communication practitioners conduct research throughout their careers. Yet, a survey of the Web sites of 114 undergraduate technical communication programs between September 2006 and April 2007 revealed that 65% (about two thirds) of these programs are providing minimal or no exposure to research instruction and therefore are not sufficiently preparing students to handle the types of research they will encounter in their upcoming careers. Given the disconnect between the centrality of research in the work that technical communicators do and the low presence of research instruction at the undergraduate level, academics need to look for ways to overcome institutional and other constraints in order to give research training greater priority in their undergraduate programs.

Journal
Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Published
2009-04-01
DOI
10.1177/1050651908328882
Open Access
Closed
Topics
technical communication

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (9)

  1. Gunning (2025)
    How Do Nonprofit Proposal Writers Learn Their Jobs? Results of a Nationwide Sur…
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  2. Watts (2021)
    Rethinking Graduate School Research Genres: Communicating With Industry, Writin…
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  3. Pihlaja et al. (2020)
    Navigating Messy Research Methods and Mentoring Practices at a Bilingual Resear…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  4. Meloncon et al. (2019)
    Empirical Research in Technical and Professional Communication: A 5-Year Examin…
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  5. Lawrence et al. (2019)
    Rhetorics of Proposal Writing: Lessons for Pedagogy in Research and Real-World …
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Show all 9 →
  1. St.Amant et al. (2016)
    Addressing the Incommensurable
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  2. Dusenberry et al. (2015)
    Filter. Remix. Make.
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  3. Ross (2014)
    Defining “Research”: Undergraduate Perceptions of Research in a Technical Commu…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  4. Ford et al. (2011)
    Emphasizing Research (Further) in Undergraduate Technical Communication Curricu…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication

Cites in this index (9)

  1. Clark (2004)
    Is Professional Writing Relevant? A Model for Action Research
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  2. Allen et al. (2004)
    TPC Program Snapshots: Developing Curricula and Addressing Challenges
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  3. Turner et al. (2004)
    Certification in Technical Communication
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  4. Campbell (2000)
    Research Methods Course Work for Students Specializing in Business and Technica…
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  5. Grabill et al. (1998)
    Toward a critical rhetoric of risk communication: Producing citizens and the ro…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
Show all 9 →
  1. Coon et al. (1997)
    Does the Curriculum Fit the Career? Some Conclusions from a Survey of Graduates…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  2. Zimmerman et al. (1993)
    Exploring the technical communicator's roles: Implications for program design
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  3. ANSON et al. (1990)
    Moving Beyond the Academic Community
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  4. Spilka (1990)
    Orality and Literacy in the Workplace: Process- and Text-Based Strategies for M…
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Also cites 1 work outside this index ↓
  1. Grabill, J. (2001)
    Community literacy programs and the politics of change
     ↗
CrossRef global citation count: 15 View in citation network →

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