Business Communication and Editing Students’ Evaluations of Written Error: An Eye-Tracking Study

Matthew J. Baker ; Grant Eckstein Brigham Young University ; Ana Barraza Boise State University ; Benjamin Duffield Brigham Young University

Abstract

Using eye-tracking and interview methods, this study investigates how business communication students and editing students attend to and evaluate writing. Participants reviewed blog posts embedded with errors and judged publication readiness. While both groups visually fixated longer on errors than non-errors, business communication students were more likely to approve error-containing texts for publication. Qualitative data revealed that business communication students prioritized content while editing students prioritized surface-level issues. These findings suggest that disciplinary background informs evaluative standards, even when error-detection behavior is similar. The results carry implications for instruction in business writing and editing, especially concerning collaborative, cross-disciplinary workplace writing.

Journal
Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
Published
2025-11-29
DOI
10.1177/23294906251388067
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