Boettger, R. (2017). An overview of research methods in technical communication journals (2012–2016). Professional Communication Conference (ProComm), 2017 IEEE International, (pp. 1-4).

In Ryan Boettger’s (2017) article “An Overview of Research Methods in Technical Communication Journals (2012-2016),” he reported “an empirical content analysis of research methods utilized by technical communication researchers over the past five years” (p. 1). Boettger studied 117 articles for three content variables using a highly effective system of coding, broke down the results into three tables and one figure, noticed patterns, and the high percentage of articles that couldn’t be verified but were driven by a rhetorical analysis method. Boettger’s purpose was to highlight “future opportunities to bolster specific topics that might benefit from a more balanced distribution of research methods and approaches” (p. 4). Boettger’s intended audience was researchers curious about the mathematical breakdown of topics within technical communication articles and whether those articles were reputable. Boettger’s research was very thorough and systematic, but it seems like more research is required to substantiate the emerging patterns.