This paper explores the intersection of pedagogical research in communication and research on public diplomacy and engages with the notion of "knowledge diplomacy." It revises the concept of the "collaborative" central to both public diplomacy and higher education pedagogy. With both fields emphasizing the importance of…

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…

Despite the recent surge in social justice and decolonial scholarship, technical and professional communication (TPC) research remains a potential site of oppression. This article is meant to be a call to action; it attempts to (re)ignite discussions about what we value and how we express what we value. It encourages the field of TPC to be more…

This article describes how a special kind of academe-industry collaboration--based on a joint appointment agreement between a university and an industry site--was set up, promoted, and experienced by a professor of technical communication and his student interns. To illustrate the nature and value of this kind of collaboration, the article…

Over the last 2 decades, the nations that once comprised the Soviet Union have begun to play an increasingly important role in the global economy. As a result, today's technical and professional communicators could find themselves interacting with co-workers, colleagues, and clients in these nations. Being successful in such contexts, however,…

Content analysis is a powerful empirical method for analyzing text, a method that technical communicators can use on the job and in their research. Content analysis can expose hidden connections among concepts, reveal relationships among ideas that initially seem unconnected, and inform the decision-making processes associated with many technical…

Compares three formats for presenting a number of similar procedures in printed instructions: separate lists, an integrated list, and a table. Expects that the integrated list format and the table format will provide overview of the features common to the similar procedures--finds such results did not appear. Finds that none of the formats scored…

Identifies and summarizes 16 current articles portraying technical writers--the skills they value, products they produce, roles they play, or industries they serve. (KEH)

Argues for a view of technical communication as authorship--as the mediation of articulated meanings, as opposed to the mere transmission of a message from writer to sender. Draws on practitioner research to present some of the facets of this new understanding of technical communication. (TB)

States the importance of identifying skills that accounting students will be most likely to need in their entry level accounting positions. Examines more closely the specific communication skills required of accounting professionals. Finds that clear messages are vitally important so the client and the accountant understand each other and the…

Describes a study in which drug information leaflets given to patients were improved in two ways, first by adding a short introductory paragraph on the nature of side effects generally, and second by adjusting frequency descriptors to more accurately reflect pretesting of the drug. Explains that participants in the study were less likely to…

Surveys scientific and technical communicators to determine their perceptions of their role as interviewees in the performance appraisal interview. Reveals that interviewees think the appraisal process is unreliable and invalid, and that managers do not stimulate growth and development in the appraisal interview. Discusses other results. (PA)

Discusses the results of a study concerning the relationship between agent, author, and matters of fact in the doctrine and practice of classical empiricism in the late 17th century. States that the historical study of empiricism provides a critical perspective on positivism and on social constructivism. (PA)

Tests the relative efficiency and learning effect of text, pictures, and animation in online help systems, designing six versions of a help system for telephones. Presents operational information in text, pictures, or animation, with or without spatial information. Shows that presenting operational information via text was most efficient and that…

Annotates articles from all issues of "The Journal of Technical Writing and Communication" (1971-89). Includes the following categories: education and pedagogy; preparation and presentation of technical information; research and theory in technical communication; and application of technology to technical communication. (MM)