Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Apr 2019

Empirical Research in Technical and Professional Communication: A 5-Year Examination of Research Methods and a Call for Research Sustainability

Lisa Meloncon ; Kirk St.Amant

Abstract

This article presents an examination of research methods used in empirical research over a 5-year period in technical and professional communication. This examination reveals that the most common methods used are surveys, interviews, usability tests, observations, and focus groups. In addition, the field does incorporate research categories of case studies, experiments, and ethnographers. This examination, however, reveals serious shortcomings that need to be addressed for the field to have a sustainable research profile.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
2019-04-01
DOI
10.1177/0047281618764611
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Topics
technical communication professional writing empirical research qualitative research
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Citation Context

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