Scientific and Technical Communication (STC) Plan C Research Papers

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Plain English for Korean Non-Native English Speakers
(2014-04) Lee, Changsoo
This exploratory study investigates Korean non--native English speakers’ comprehension of plain English and recommends plain English guidelines that consider Korean non--native English speakers who are in the United States studying at university. This study has two parts. First, this paper explores how Korean speakers understand Latinate and phrasal verbs with a matching test and interview. The results demonstrate that Korean speakers generally prefer Latinate verbs. Second, this paper investigates whether or not plain English that works best for native English speakers also works best for Korean non--native English speakers. This study includes a usability test that evaluates Korean speakers’ comprehension of six passages written in plain and non--plain English, excerpted from a variety of topics. The results indicate that using plain English help Korean speakers’ comprehension of English in general, however; it does not always guarantee Korean speakers’ better comprehension of English. Also, it implies that concise sentences could occasionally make Korean speakers less assured of their comprehension. This study recommends that technical communicators use Latinate verbs instead of phrasal verbs and they conduct usability tests of their writing, in that way they can make revisions as necessary, if their target audience includes Korean non--native English speakers.
Usability Themes in Open Source Software
(2014-05-01) Hall, James
This research examines the prevalent state of usability in open source software, focusing on the reasons why usability is often overlooked in the open source software noosphere. A usability test of GNOME, a popular open source software desktop environment, provides insights into the present development structure, and highlights areas for improvement. Analysis of the test data suggests features or themes of usability, and provides avenues of exploration to improve overall usability within open source software systems.
How Should Technical Communication Students Best Prepare for Careers in Medical Device Companies?
(2014-05-01) Sigstad, Heather
The Twin Cities is a hotspot for the medical device industry, which has a high demand for technical communicators, so many local technical communication students become interested in finding a career in this field. This study asks the question “how should technical communication students best prepare for careers in medical device companies?” To investigate it, five technical communicators from four medical device companies in the Twin Cities were interviewed about technical communication in the field, possible challenges to new communicators, important skills for this career, and their recommendations for new technical communicators to prepare for a career in this field. Key focus areas (KFAs) for students were identified from the interview results and compared to curricula at the University of Minnesota (UMN). Strengths and gaps were identified between the two, and recommendations on how students should fill those gaps were provided. The goal is to make technical communication students better candidates for positions at medical device companies and increase their success.
Software Patent Application Drafting Guideline Development
(2014-05-05) Choi, Wonjong
Software patent drafting is a promising field because top IT (Internet Technology) companies rely on software patents to protect their products. However, software patent drafting is a relatively unknown field for technical communication students. This paper answers the questions on “how to become a patent writer” and “how to draft a software patent application” This paper provides specific required skills to become a patent writer. In addition, this paper also provides specific guidelines to drafting the most important sections in a software patent application: claim, embodiment, and diagram sections. Two patent experts working for Samsung Electronics have reviewed this work and their feedback was applied to this paper.
Information Design and Uncertain Environments: Cognitive and Ecological Considerations in Technical Communication
(2014-05-06) Cocchiarella, Christopher
While technical communication has roots in the rhetorical tradition, it also has been influenced by positivism and computationalism, which, unlike rhetoric, treat facts separately from values and isolate information from social contexts by organizing data into digital ‘bits.’ Technical communicators uncritical of such assumptions may unintentionally design information inappropriate for their audiences’ social values or their users’ situation. To illustrate, this paper analyzes a case study of technical communication graduate students who worked on an information design project that ultimately failed. As a case study, the information design project demonstrates the need for cognitive and ecological considerations in technical communication. To show the importance of such considerations, this paper conducts an interdisciplinary study with a four-part inquiry: (1) a description of the case study to show what problem the information design tried to address; (2) a cognitive task analysis of the information design to reveal the technical communication grad students’ assumptions during the project; (3) some theoretical reflections from cognitive science and their implications for information design; and (4) a discussion about what the students could recommend in the end, including implications about how technical communicators should think about media ecology in the context of uncertainty.
Google Glass: Applications for Documentation and Training
(2014-12) Ellingson, Marissa
Creating Technical Documentation for Digital Natives (Companion Slides)
(2014-12) Ellingson, Marissa
Creating Technical Documentation for Digital Natives
(2014-12) Ellingson, Marissa
Rhetoric and Information Design for Complementary and Alternative Medicine on the Internet: The CAM “Communication Gap” in Consumer Health Information (eHealth)
(2015) Meyer, Margaret
Chronic medical conditions affect about 50% of the adult population in the United States (CDC, 2015), and demand for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is on the rise, especially among people with chronic pain and illness. Many CAM users choose not to discuss it with their doctors, and increasingly, Americans look to the Internet for health information. These trends underscore the importance of accessible, authoritative consumer health information (eHealth). The philosophies and practices of CAM, nontraditional in Western biomedicine, add another dimension to health communication challenges. Using the user experience design (UX) concept of personas, this study explored CAM rhetoric and information design found on major health insurance websites in Minnesota. It examined the need for improving health communications to enhance patient understanding and decision-making about CAM modalities and ultimately help improve patient involvement in their own health and well-being.
Ebola, Public Health, and the WHO Website: Imperializing Language in Public Health Emergencies
(2015) Mackey, L. Elizabeth
Young Women and Online Health Information: A Study of Credibility, Access, and Usability
(2015-03) Kinlin, Samantha
Seeking health information online is a common practice in society today, especially among young people and women. Due to the increasing prevalence of this practice, I have reviewed current research on issues of credibility and access in online women’s health information to establish how credibility is conveyed online, and how improving access to online resources could decrease the number of barriers between individuals and health information in general (particularly for those individuals who might not have ready access to health care providers). I then selected a list of current health information websites designed for women and analyzed them according to well-known usability guidelines to determine how well these websites are designed for their audience and which design aspects could improve perceived credibility of or increase access to these sources of information.
Technical Communication Development in China
(2015-05) Wang, Hao
This study explores the development of technical communication in China in both industry and education. Using survey data and interviews with six research participants from both industry and educational institutions, this paper explains how China has made huge progress in the development of technical communication since 2000. However, the current development of technical communication in China remains problematic. Specifically, this paper examines four aspects worth further consideration. Several suggestions and potential future research topics are presented that address these problems and how to continue developing techn ical communication in China.
Labeling architecture in a regulated medical device company: strategy, content reuse, and complexities to be addressed
(2015-05) Frush, Kelly, R.
This project explores labeling architecture in a regulated industry. Specifically, I explored ways to develop strategy for effective architecture of a product or therapy’s suite of labeling pieces, why labeling architecture is important for content reuse, and what complexities should be addressed during analysis and planning. I begin by noting the subtle difference that exists between a label and labeling. I then discuss labeling architecture as it relates to current work in technical communication on content architecture and information architecture, finding that labeling architecture often limits the number of times a manual needs to be updated, promotes content reuse (crucial for effective technical writing), limits human error, and reduces costs. To investigate labeling architecture, I conducted a set of six interviews to collect information on the strategy behind labeling architecture, how it supports content reuse, and complexities to be addressed during a labeling architecture project. Attention to labeling architecture could well be an effective way for a medical device company to save money and time, and increase the quality of their labeling products.
A Case Study on iPad Use in Technical Writing Courses
(2015-05-08) Teng, Fei
This study reviews the impact of exploring tablets as a new educational tool at the University of Minnesota in Department of Writing Studies. Part of this study reviews the impact of exploring tablets based on previous research. A recent article by Penn St ate states that Penn State’s Education Technology Services (ETS) ordered 40 iPad tablet computers for faculty and students to use in a technical writing course. Students used Google Docs and other word processing apps on tablet computers to complete their assignments. Tablets and technology have a significant impact on learning in technical writing, as well significant change to instructional plans. Another study in 2011 provides a similar topic using iPads as a tool for education. Researchers have explored the impact of iPads in school and how access to and use of iPads will change the learning and teaching strategies in schools. At the University of Minnesota, I conducted two surveys: a web based student and staff questionnaire sent through Twitter and a Facebook group, and interviews with Ph.D students and graduate students in the Master of Science Scientific and Technical Communication program in the Department of Writing Studies . The iPad has a significant and positive impact on learning and teaching in technical communication courses, but there have been limitations in writing processes.
Ebola, Technical Communication, and the WHO Website: (Selectively) Globalizing Public Health Emergencies
(2015-05-12) Mackey, L. Elizabeth
The Impact of Labeling Architecture on Document Translation in a Regulated Medical Device Company
(2016) Fendley, Ann Elizabeth
Development of a Benchtop Method to Polymerize Lactose to Soluble Fiber
(2016) Kuechel, Alexandra
Oral Health: Bridging Somali Traditions and Western Practice - Recommendations for Technical Communicators
(2016-04) Moe, Kevin
Language and cultural barriers often prevent immigrants from assimilating successfully in their new home. This is especially true of Somali immigrants in terms of their oral health needs. Oral health care is traditionally important to Somalis, yet they report poor oral health now that they are in Minnesota. To date, there has been a lack of effective communication between Somali immigrants and Western oral health practitioners. This paper attempts to show how technical communication strategies can effectively bridge this gap. To highlight the problem, this paper synthesizes published research on immigrant barriers to health care, traditional Somali oral health care beliefs, interviews with Somali immigrants, and interviews with dentists who work with immigrant populations. Also, Western attempts to craft immigrant-appropriate healthcare materials are examined. The author then applies technical communication best practices to offer recommendations on how to improve communications between Western oral health practitioners and their Somali immigrant patients. A communication program for each group is provided, along with avenues for future research.
When the System is Down: Professional Communication During Urgent Technical Issues
(2016-04-29) Murto, Sarah
Publishing in the field of neuroscience: Scientists at the University of Minnesota Institute for Translational Neuroscience describe problems and potential solutions
(2016-06) Steuer, Elizabeth L.
Publishing in the field of neuroscience is a chaotic, inefficient, and increasingly difficult process to navigate. Scientists disagree on the value of traditional publishing versus Open Access publishing, predatory journals pollute the literature, and researchers suffer from the widespread practice of submitting to high-impact journals, facing rejection, and delaying publications. To gain a better understanding of how neuroscientists navigate this process, I interviewed ten researchers at the University of Minnesota Institute for Translational Neuroscience. Through interviewing investigators with varying levels of publishing experience—graduate students, beginning investigators, and senior investigators—I aimed to 1.) gain a more complete picture of how researchers approach the publishing process, cope with the associated problems, and view potential changes to the system; 2.) generate a more concrete notion of what changes might best suit the future field of neuroscience; and 3.) understand how predatory journals fit into the transitional state of neuroscience publishing. To create a better publishing system, I suggest that we apply the research findings of economist Elinor Ostrom, integrate conversations about publishing within graduate neuroscience programs, and utilize research from the field of Scientific and Technical Communication.