| Title: | Empirical Research in Technical and Professional Communication: A 5-Year Examination of Research Methods and a Call for Research Sustainability; |
|---|---|
| Authors and Corporations: | , |
| In: | Journal of Technical Writing and Communication, 49, 2019, 2, p. 128-155 |
| published: |
SAGE Publications
|
| Media Type: | Article, E-Article |
| Physical Description: | 128-155 |
|---|---|
| ISSN: |
0047-2816
1541-3780 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/0047281618764611 |
| published in: | Journal of Technical Writing and Communication |
| Language: | English |
| Subjects: | |
| Collection: | SAGE Publications (CrossRef) |
<jats:p> 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. </jats:p> |