Technical writing is crucial in various stages and phases of a research project. A basic understanding of the process allows technical writers to know where and how their expertise is needed in this area, which might offer new work opportunities.
Technical writing is essential for simplifying complex information so that all stakeholders can understand the project’s vision, scope, and specific requirements. In research, technical writing skill is a critical component in almost every stage of a research project. It facilitates the interpretation and understanding of challenging and abstract concepts, which allows more people to engage in the research project regardless of their roles. Experienced technical writers capture essential information and best practices, creating valuable assets such as proposals, project planning documents, final reports, and evaluation forms that reduce the risk of procedural and communication failures.
Writing a Research Proposal
Writing a research proposal requires a high level of technical writing, to communicate and convince readers about the essence and value of a research project. With their ability to use concise and simple language, technical writers can deliver an excellent proposal that encapsulates the complex and abstract ideas of researchers.
Without a strong technical writing background, individuals might use the wrong terminology, over-explain a concept, or add irrelevant data and details. An experienced technical writer, on the other hand, can present information in a way that facilitates the reader’s decision process. For example, they can clearly and compellingly convey the principal ideas of a project’s summary, background, methodology, and significance, ensuring that both grant providers and team members understand the project.
Writing a Literature Review
A literature review assembles numerous journal articles that contain various findings and complicated procedures. It is one of the research stages where technical writers can demonstrate their value. They can perform essential research, analyze key findings, summarize them, show the researchers the available literature, and pinpoint gaps worth investigating.
In addition to crafting concise summaries, technical writers can contribute their organizational skills. Throwing a colossal amount of information at readers without organizing it can distract the readers and obscure the project’s purpose and value. Technical writers can use their experience in creating structured content to categorize the literature summaries clearly. For instance, a technical writer might choose to summarize a complex research paper by providing an overview of the findings, detailing each section’s contributions and its future application.
Communicating Research Methodology and Data Collection
Some research projects require designing surveys or interviews to gather data, as well as communicating the research methodology to the general public and other researchers. People without a background in the field might find it challenging to comprehend the research’s background and questions, which can hinder the data collection process. Additionally, if the research project fails to explain its main methodology and its specifications, other researchers might disregard its results, making it less likely to be widely recognized in the academic community.
Skilled technical writers can facilitate the survey process with their experience in identifying key components to focus on. For example, a technical writer who has worked in product documentation can leverage their skill to design a comprehensive survey for participants and explain the research model’s elements, allowing them to provide critical information.
Conclusion
Regardless of the discipline, a technical writer’s role is indispensable in helping research teams produce comprehensive, consistent, and useful documents that embody the project’s vision and standards. The skills of a technical writer help all stakeholders to stay informed, reduce errors, and increase productivity. Knowing how technical writing skills help in different stages of a research project allows technical writers to use their expertise effectively, contributing to successful project goals and broadening their career prospects.
Quyen is a recent graduate from The University of British Columbia. She has a passion for writing and storytelling, which motivated her to volunteer to write for STC CWC to explore different genres of writing. She hopes to connect more with professionals and experts in technical writing and learn from them.