A Research Primer For Technical Communication: Methods, Exemplars, And Analyses

✍ Scribed by George F. Hayhoe, Pam Estes Brewer

• Publisher: Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group
• Year: 2021
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 329
• Edition: 2nd Edition
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

This fully revised edition provides a practical introduction to research methods for anyone conducting and critically reading technical communication research. The first section discusses the role of research in technical communication and explains in plain language how to conduct and report such research. It covers both quantitative and qualitative methods, as well as surveys, usability studies, and literature reviews. The second section presents a collection of research articles that serve as exemplars of these major types of research projects, each followed by commentary breaking down how it corresponds to the information on that research type. In addition to five new chapters of exemplars and commentaries, this second edition contains a new chapter on usability studies. This book is an essential introduction to research methods for students of technical communication and for industry professionals who need to conduct and engage with research on the job.

✦ Table of Contents

Cover......Page 1
Endorsements......Page 2
Half Title......Page 4
Title Page......Page 6
Copyright Page......Page 7
Table of Contents......Page 8
Preface......Page 10
Acknowledgments......Page 12
PART I: Methods......Page 14
1. Research: Why We Do It and Why We Read It......Page 16
2. The Research Phases and Getting Started......Page 32
3. Reviewing the Literature......Page 51
4. Analyzing Quantitative Data......Page 69
5. Conducting a Qualitative Study......Page 105
6. Conducting Surveys......Page 129
7. Conducting Usability Studies......Page 145
PART II: Exemplars and Analyses......Page 166
8. Analyzing a Literature Review......Page 168
9. Analyzing a Quantitative Research Report......Page 180
10. Analyzing a Qualitative Research Report......Page 208
11. Analyzing a Report on the Results of a Survey......Page 238
12. Analyzing a Report on the Results of a Usability Study......Page 277
Appendix: Citation Styles......Page 314
Index......Page 327

✦ Subjects

Communication Of Technical Information, Technology: Documentation, Technical Manuals, Technical Writing