Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Oct 1980

The Need for Better Research in Technical Communication

Paul V. Anderson

Abstract

Technical communication is not one discipline but three, each addressing its own distinctive set of problems and applying its own particular criteria when deciding which of the alternative solutions it has generated addresses its problems most effectively. Of the three, only the professional discipline is conducting its research satisfactorily; the teaching and theoretical disciplines are not. All three could improve their research activities by posing themselves a wider variety of significant problems, generating a richer array of alternative solutions, and conducting more carefully the activities that enable them to select the alternatives most worthy of continued attention and use.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
1980-10-01
DOI
10.2190/vuex-ndq4-gnqj-gmp5
Topics
writing across the curriculum technical communication

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (4)

  1. Charney (1998)
    From logocentrism to ethocentrism: Historicizing critiques of writing research
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  2. SMITH (1997)
    Intertextual Connections to “A Humanistic Rationale for Technical Writing”
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  3. Riley et al. (1988)
    Tone as a Function of Presupposition in Technical and Business Writing
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  4. Moorhead (1987)
    Designing Ethnographic Research in Technical Communication: Case Study Theory i…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication

Cites in this index (3)

  1. Anderson (1978)
    Career Opportunities for Teachers of Technical Writing: A Survey of Programs in…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  2. Beaugrande (1978)
    Communication in Technical Writing
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  3. Cunningham (1973)
    Toward a Comprehensive Bibliography of Technical Writing
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Also cites 1 work outside this index ↓
  1. 10.2307/375964
     ↗
CrossRef global citation count: 5 View in citation network →

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