Title: 525. METHODS OF RESEARCH IN TECHNICAL WRITING (3).

PRQ:

Survey of theoretic, quantitative, and qualitative methods used by academic scholars and workplace professionals to conduct writing studies and technical communication research. Analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of different methodologies and their appropriateness for particular research goals and inquiries.

Objectives:

1. Identify a variety of theories that guide research in writing studies and technical communication
2. Recognize and understand purposes for different types of research
3. Analyze and interpret published examples of research
4. Practice ethical data collection, analysis, and interpretation
5. Engage in theoretically framing and writing up a research project

Requirements

• Informal in-class responses
• Responses to class reading
• Mini-research exercises
• Data collection and presentation of findings
• Research project suitable for presentation at a conference

Texts

1. Beyond the Archives, Gesa Kirsch and Liz Rohan, ISBN 978-0-8093-2840-6
2. Becoming a Writing Researcher, Ann Blakeslee and Cathy Fleisher, ISBN 978-0-80583997-5
3. A research Primer for Technical Communication, Michael Hughes and George Hayhoe, ISBN 0-8058-6335-4
4. The Norton Book of Composition Studies, Ed. Susan Miller, ISBN 978-0-393-93135-8