effective technical writing in research methodology

Basics of scientific and technical writing

• Career Central
• Published: 01 March 2021
• Volume 46 , pages 284–286, ( 2021 )

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• Morteza Monavarian 1 , 2  

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Introduction to scientific/technical writing

Scientific/technical writing is an essential part of research. The outcome of a research activity should be shared with others in the form of scientific paper publications; some ideas require a patent to reserve the implementation rights; and almost any research activity requires a funding source, for which a grant proposal is necessary. Therefore, it is crucial to know the differences among writing papers, patents, and grant proposals and how to prepare them in a research environment ( Figure 1 ).

Three major types of scientific/technical writing covered in the three-part series.

The publication of papers is a standard way to share knowledge and transfer methods in scientific communities, thus a pivotal part of any research activity, especially in an academic environment. In industry, where financial profit is a key factor, patents are possibly more favorable.

Types of paper publications

There are different types of paper publications, depending on the content, audience, purpose, length, and scope: original research, review articles, invited articles, conference proceedings, comments/errata, and press releases ( Figure 2 ).

Original research articles may be published in journals or conference proceedings (or preprints in arXiv) and target specific audiences within a field of research. Journal research papers require peer review that typically involves an editor and two reviewers. For conference proceedings, there is usually no direct peer-review process, but the work has to be presented in the corresponding conference to be eligible for publication.

In contrast to original research articles, which are written on special topics within a field of research, review articles normally cover an overview of research and tend to be longer. Review articles do not necessarily reflect on novel data or ideas and could be similar to a book chapter. However, unlike review articles, book chapters or books are usually written when the target field of research is fully established. In a review paper, figures are typically not original and reprinted from other publications, for which a copyright permission from the original publishing journal is required.

Invited articles are written in response to an invitation by a journal editor or a conference organizer in a specific field of research or for a special issue. An invited article could be a review article or original research. Invited articles are normally written by peers or researchers with significant contributions to a field of research.

Other items published include comments or errata. The purpose of a comment on a published article is to bring points of criticism to the attention of the readers as well as the authors of the original article. The comments can be published in the same journal as the original paper. Errata correct mistakes in an article after publication.

Finally, press releases target a more general audience and normally report on a review/overview of recently published research. The author of the press release is not the same as that of the original article. Unlike peer-reviewed research articles, press release articles are usually not citable.

Six major types of paper publications.

Writing structures and styles

Different articles have different structures. A research article typically consists of a title, author list and affiliations, abstract, main body, conclusions, acknowledgments, and references.

A good title should be concise, to the point, and free of abbreviations. Author lists and affiliations include whoever has intellectually contributed to the paper (identifying at least one corresponding author and email address), with the order approved by all of the co-authors. A good abstract should give a full, but short, overview of the work with both qualitative and quantitative data summaries. An abstract should be self-contained, meaning it should not require a referral to a reference or figure. Abstracts are usually written in the present tense and have an active voice.

Unlike letters with no sections within the main body, the main body of research articles normally contains several sections (e.g., introduction, methods and approach, results, and discussions). The introduction should contain a deep literature review of the field as the basis for motivating the current work. The last paragraph of the introduction usually summarizes what to expect from the article. The following sections will demonstrate study methods, results, and discussions/interpretations of the results, including plots, tables, and figures.

Conclusions summarize the findings of the paper and may point out any future directions. The acknowledgment lists all funding support and gratitude toward anyone who helped with the work, not including those listed as co-authors. The reference section lists all references in a format described in the journal submission guidelines. Using reference management software (such as Zotero, Mendeley, BibTex) makes organizing the references less cumbersome. A good scholarly research article should have citations for almost any claims made within the main body, to ensure proper connections to the prior research in the field.

Unlike patents, papers require a deep scientific background and should be straight to the point. While patents include all aspects of the idea, papers typically have space limitations, so should therefore be concise. The data in research articles should speak for itself. The language of a research paper should be clear and simple and not include metaphors or slang.

Where to submit

The submission target depends on several factors: (1) scope of the journal, (2) length of the paper (letters versus regular length articles), (3) access (regular versus open access), and (4) impact factor (IF). The scope of the journal is probably the first thing to consider; you cannot publish a biological paper in a humanity journal. Regarding length, a letter is much shorter and usually does not have section headings. It depends on the discipline, but sometimes letters are more favorable because of the shorter publication time, preparation simplicity, and more readability (takes less time to read, which may also improve the visibility of the paper). In terms of access, you may pay publication charges to receive open access, or some journals charge publication fees upon acceptance. Open access papers could potentially get more visibility than normal publications.

IF is a specific journal parameter indicating the average number of citations per published article over a certain period of time. Paying serious attention to IF could oppose the mission of science itself, as it could mean that you judge a paper only by where it is being published and not by its intrinsic values (also called high IF syndrome).

Submission, peer-review, and decisions

Your article will enter the peer-review process upon submission. If done properly, the peer-review process not only avoids false or inconsistent data from being published (and helps science in this regard), but also improves your paper and removes any potential errors/issues or vague discussion. During submission, some journals may ask you to include/exclude reviewers. If there are researchers who may have a direct conflict with your work, you may list them as excluded reviewers. You may also suggest to include reviewers who have relevant experience.

Serving as a reviewer may help you with your own writing, as it assists in developing critical thinking. However, for the sake of science, try peer-reviewing for lesser-known journals (the high-impact journals already have many reviewers). Decisions on your article could be (1) reject: cannot be accepted to this journal; (2) referral to other journals; submit to another journal; (3) accept: accepted as is; (4) major revisions: not accepted, but could be accepted upon significant improvement (upon approval from reviewers); and (5) minor revision: accept but needs slight revisions (no need to go through a peer review again).

Copyrights and archiving

Most journals obtain copyrights from the authors before submission via a copyright transfer form. Hence, re-publishing the same data and plots in another journal is often forbidden. Also, the language of a paper should have a significant difference from an already published paper to avoid plagiarism. In the case where some content (e.g., figure or table) needs to be re-published in another paper (e.g., for review articles or thesis/dissertations), one can request a copyright permission from the original publishing journal. Also, archiving of one’s published papers in personal profile websites (e.g., Researchgate or LinkedIn) is usually forbidden, unless the paper is published as open access.

Final tips for paper publication

Read, read, read! There is probably no better way of improving writing skills than reading other articles and books.

Make illustrative and self-contained figures that can stand on their own.

Know your audience when selecting a journal. Find out which journals are normally targeted by people in your research community.

Protect yourself from high impact factor (IF) syndrome. Journals with a high IF may have very subjective decision criteria. It is sometimes more important to have your paper published than to spend a couple of years waiting for publication in a high-impact journal.

Serve as a reviewer. Get a sense of how a peer-review process feels in order to establish critical thinking. Before submitting your article, self-review.

Look forward to a constructive peer review. It definitely improves your paper (always good to have a view from different perspective).

Enjoy your publications!

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Materials Department, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, USA

Morteza Monavarian

Solid State Lighting & Energy Electronics Center, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, USA

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This article is the first in a three-part series in MRS Bulletin that will focus on writing papers, patents, and proposals.

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Monavarian, M. Basics of scientific and technical writing. MRS Bulletin 46 , 284–286 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1557/s43577-021-00070-y

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Published : 01 March 2021

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DOI : https://doi.org/10.1557/s43577-021-00070-y

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6.2 Performing Research

In order to write effective technical documents, technical writers need to do their research . Even if the subject matter is familiar, getting the facts straight ahead of time is essential for a successful project, assignment, or document.

There are a number of ways technical writers conduct research, such as the following

• Online  – When a person is writing up a user manual, they might be able to find the necessary information online to complete their assignment.
• On-the-job  – Many technical writers are already experts in their field, so they can rely on personal experience to create their documents.
• Interviews  – In some cases, a technical writer may have to set up an interview with another professional to get the necessary details for the end result.
• Libraries and other research facilities  – And there’s always the library for additional assignment-related information.

Effective Research Processes

Simply going to an information source, extracting it, and then putting it into your draft is not enough. While this might work for everyday writing, technical writing is meant to be used actively, so its content needs to be accurate.

• Know the goal – Understanding the goal or purpose of the user document will guide the research process and allow the technical writer to find appropriate facts to use.
• Check and double check – It never hurts to check the facts and then to check them again to ensure they are accurate.
• Find multiple sources – Whenever possible, find multiple sources for the material and cite them in the technical writing document.
• Talk with experts in the field – Another way to verify information, talking with experts in the field can yield better information from their experience.

Technical Writing Research Methods

Research is not just the collection of facts for a technical writing document; it is a process in which information is uncovered and expressed in a meaningful way to the audience. Before you begin documenting your deliverables, you need to gather all the required information. You need to conduct different research methods to do this. Here are a few methods of conducting research in technical documentation:

Primary Research – Conduct primary research either using the source documents or interacting with the subject matter experts. These methods are called primary methods as you get first-hand information from the two most reliable sources – specifications documents and the subject matter experts.

Gathering Information from Sources – Begin reading and gathering all the available information on your topic from websites, library databases, as well as print media. However, you’ll likely encounter information irrelevant to your topic and audience, so you need to analyze the impact your sources will likely have on your audience.

Collecting Information from Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) – Interacting with subject matter experts can help you answer research questions and provide accurate information for your report. Subject matter experts (SMEs), such as engineers and developers, are often able to provide all the information you need to answer all your questions.

Secondary Research – Use additional methods that help you in gathering the information through logical methods, apart from the direct methods specified earlier. The different methods of conducting secondary research are as follows:

Preparing an Outline – Start framing the outline on the basis of the available information. Thus, you can identify the gaps and you can perform additional tasks to fill such gaps. An outline makes the writing process more efficient and focused. It presents the material in a logical form and shows the connections of ideas in your writing. Alongside constructing an ordered overview of your writing, it also defines boundaries and groups. See a sample outline here .

Information Mapping – Use this research-based, tested, and proven methodology to develop documentation. It is a tool that helps you develop documentation, which is organized and presented in a manner that is clear and usable to the reader. Information mapping helps in making documents consistent and easy to understand.

*TIP : Strong research blends primary and secondary research.

Watch the following video, “ Research in Technical Writing, ” by William Smith:

Getting Started with Research

Research is about questions. In the beginning the questions are focused on helping you determine a topic and types of information and sources; later in the research process, the questions are focused on expanding and supporting your ideas and claims as well as helping you stay focused on the specific rhetorical situation of your project.

Questions to help you get started

• What is my timeline for the project? You will likely want to set personal deadlines in addition to your actual deadline (from your instructor or employer).
• What do I want to know or learn about? This helps you determine scope or the limits of your research.
• What do I already know about this topic?
• What biases might I have about this topic? How might I combat these biases?

Questions to determine methodology

• Where might I find useful, reliable information about this topic? For academic research, you will generally focus on library, technical, scientific, and governmental resources. It is fine if you are not quite sure exactly where you should look; your instructor should be able to help you determine some places that would be appropriate.
• Will I need to perform primary research, secondary research, or both?

Next you will develop a research question . By this point you should have a general idea of your topic and some general ideas of where you might begin your research. Once you have developed your research question(s), you are ready to begin searching for answers.

Where to look

In the 21st century, we generally turn to the internet when we have a question. For technical, scientific, and academic research, we can still turn to the internet, but where we visit changes. We will discuss a few different places where you can perform research including Google, Google Scholar, and college libraries.

Google & Google Scholar : The default research site for most students tends to be Google. Google can be a great starting place for a variety of research. You can use Google to find news articles and other popular sources, such as magazine articles and blog posts. You can use Google to discover keywords, alternative terms, and relevant professional businesses and organizations. The most important thing to remember about using Google is that search results are organized by popularity, not by accuracy . Further, because Google customizes search results based on a user’s search history, searches performed by different people or on different browsers may provide different results.

For many technical, scientific, and scholarly topics, Google will not provide access to the appropriate and necessary types of sources and information. Google Scholar, however, searches only academic and scientific journals, books, patents, and governmental and legal documents. This means the results will be more technical and scholarly and therefore more appropriate for much of the research you will be expected to perform as a student. Though Google Scholar will show academic and technical results, that does not mean that you will have access to the full-text documents. Many of the sources that appear on Google Scholar are from databases, publishers, or libraries, which means that they are often behind paywalls or password-protected. In many cases, this means you will have to turn to a university or other library for access.

University/College Libraries: Library resources, such as databases, peer-reviewed journals, and books, are generally the best bet for accurate and more technical information. A Google search might yield millions and millions of results and a Google Scholar search may yield tens or hundreds of thousands of results, but a library search will generally yield fewer but more relevant results.

Overall, library resources are more tightly controlled and vetted. Anyone can create a blog or website and post information, regardless of the accuracy or usefulness of the information. Library resources, in contrast, have generally gone through rigorous processes and revisions before publication. For example, academic and scientific journals have a review system in place—whether a peer-review process or an editorial board—both feature panels of people with expertise in the areas under consideration. Publishers for books also feature editorial boards who determine the usefulness and accuracy of information. Of course, this does not mean that every peer-reviewed journal article or book is 100% accurate and useful all of the time. Biases still exist, and many commonly accepted facts change over time with more research and analysis. Overall the process for these types of publications require that multiple people read and comment on the work, providing some checks and balances that are not present for general internet sources.

*At the bottom of this page you will find links to LBCC’s Library research databases.

Keyword searches

Once you decide on a general topic, you will need to determine keywords that you can use to search different resources.

It is important to have a wide range of keywords because not all terms will result in the same information. Developing a list of keywords can be aided by a quick Google search. A Google search may reveal more official language or terminology, broader or narrower terms and concepts, or related terms and concepts. You can use a couple different strategies to help narrow your search. Using quotation marks around two or more words means the search results will contain those words only in that specific order. For example, a search for “ illegal aliens ” would only provide results where these words appear in that exact order, with no other words between them. A search for illegal aliens without the quotation marks will show information on illegal aliens, too, but it will also show any sources that have the words illegal and alien anywhere in the text.

Now that you’ve chosen a topic, developed a research question, and gathered relevant resources, it’s time to put your research to use. The next section, “ Using Your Research ,” will help you do just that.

Additional Resources

• Academic Search Premiere
• Ebook Central
• Opposing Viewpoints
• “ What Is Research: Definition, Methods, Types & Examples ,” an article from QuestionPro.com

Technical Writing at LBCC Copyright © 2020 by Will Fleming is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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• Writing Tips

A Guide to Technical Writing (With Examples)

4-minute read

• 5th May 2023

You can find technical writing in lots of places, including in your home, at your job, in many industries, and in businesses of all sizes. If you need help with business writing specifically, check out how we can assist you .

In today’s post, we’ll break down what technical writing is and how to do it effectively. We’ll also provide some handy examples.

What Is Technical Writing?

Technical writing doesn’t always look very technical! It can be anything that describes how to do a task or how to operate a machine or system. Or it can cover a specialized topic. Technical writing includes recipes in your favorite cookbook, board game instructions, operator manuals, health and safety regulations, legal documents, and financial reports.

Instructions for Carrying Out a Task

This type of technical writing can be a recipe for a cake, the instructions for a board game, tips on how to walk your dog to heel, or the script for a social media video on how to cut your own hair.

Operating Manuals for Machinery, Appliances, or Systems

Technical writing can also be the user guide for a dishwasher, for a factory machine that makes cardboard boxes, a “how to” guide for spreadsheets, or instructions for changing the oil in your motorcycle.

Specialized Topics

The list here could be very, very long! Technical writing on specialized topics includes a company’s business reports, a medical consultant’s letter to a patient, health and safety regulations, employment policies, and legal documents.

So How Do I Produce a Great Piece of Technical Writing?

Let’s take it in three stages: Who? What? How?

Who Is It For?

In any type of writing, knowing your audience is important. This is particularly true of technical writing. Here are some examples of who might read technical writing:

·  A renter of an apartment that needs details on their lease

·  An electrical engineer who needs to know how the wiring is laid out in the apartment block

·  The janitor of that same building who needs to know the location of the emergency lights

·  The occupant of apartment 61, who needs to know how to use the oven in their kitchen

They all need information presented to them, but what information do they need?

What Do They Need?

The renter needs a legal document that leaves no room for doubt about their legal rights and obligations and those of their landlord. The document will be very detailed, containing terms that need careful explanation.

The electrical engineer needs accurate, clear information about the wiring, as they could get hurt or cause harm to someone else if the diagram is inaccurate.

The janitor needs clear directions and a map of where the emergency lights are.

The occupant of apartment 61 needs instructions that are written in plain English so they can use their oven safely.

How Should Technical Writing Be Composed?

Follow these steps when writing a technical document:

·  Research and know your subject thoroughly.

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·  Decide on the appropriate writing style. Just because it’s technical, doesn’t mean it has to contain lots of jargon . Be concise, be direct, and be straightforward.

·  Consider whether you need to include diagrams, maps, images, charts, and/or tables.

·  If writing instructions, take it one step at a time, write objectively , and make sure the instructions work!

Examples of Technical Writing

Let’s look at some examples:

The first version contains unnecessary words, but the warnings are not specific enough. The instructions should be concise and clear. In the second version, the danger is stated right away, and the critical warnings are concise and specific.

In these examples, the first version is unnecessarily wordy. It provides a lot of detail for minor tasks but gives vague instructions for bigger tasks. The second version is much clearer. The instructions are easier to follow, and they include each necessary step.

Good technical writing needs the following attributes:

1. Relevance

2. Accuracy

4. Accessibility

5. Simplicity

Really good technical writing will include these attributes every time.

Is technical writing difficult?

Technical writing does not have to be difficult if you follow our guide and do your research beforehand.

Are there professional bodies for technical writers?

There are several professional organizations for technical writing. This list from UTA Libraries is very useful.

What can I do if I’m not sure that my technical writing style is appropriate to my subject?

We have experts in many fields who can check your writing and advise on style .

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What is Technical Writing? (+How It's Effective)

November 14, 2019

by Rob Browne

Sometimes, our most valuable skills are the ones we don’t even realize we have.

For example, every day we take millions of data points and observations, transforming them into digestible stories for ourselves. We take what we see in the world and make something of it, be it a small significance or a big takeaway.

This is a highly valuable skill in any workforce. Almost every career will task employees with observation, research, or the data analysis process in some way or another, and communicating that data to others through stories, charts, or other tasks is vital to relaying it accessibly to an audience.

Life as a technical writer is one of these careers.

What is technical writing?

Technical writing documents complex technological processes in terms that are easy to understand for new learners and first-time users of tech systems.

Technical writing: how it works, examples, and careers

If you work in a technical field, you probably perform technical writing at some point during your day-to-day tasks. However, there is a craft to this type of writing that can easily be overlooked. Let’s go over some of the why and how of technical writing, as well as examples.

How technical writing is effective

Technical writing can communicate complex technical information to readers not trained on specific jargon using reliably simple and understandable diction. The writing style is clear and direct, never straying too far from the facts of the matter at hand and what the reader needs to know. Simplifying technical information can provide a big benefit to any reader, regardless of prior background knowledge. Some will be looking for a step-by-step tutorial for a particular technical task, and others will be able to find the refresher they need in the ways you can simplify the complexities of the technical information your writing conveys. Also, feel free to use AI writing software to make sure your grammar and communication skills are clear enough while writing about these complex topics.

The two pillars of technical writing are professionalism and accessibility. Professionalism ensures that the writing is at a standard where the most important aspects of what you’re trying to communicate at the forefront. Accessibility allows for the text to be read by a wide variety of readers from different industries and backgrounds that want to learn more about the topic at hand.

Examples of technical writing

Technical writing can range from providing instructions about how to use a computer application on a website to laying out the steps in a medical procedure in a help file.

One common example of technical writing is a user manual. A user manual typically accompanies a piece of technology, such as a television or video game console, and communicates in easy terms for users to understand how to use the technology. User manuals can contain images, charts, and step-by-step chronological information related to setting up the technology for use. A skilled technical writer is able to take the complexities of this piece of technology and simplify the steps it takes for a user to get the most out of their device.

Another example of technical writing is an employee handbook . In most cases, companies will have a number of rules and regulations pertaining to how employees should conduct themselves in the workplace. A technical writer converts these policies into an easy-to-read employee handbook that properly communicates the rules and regulations at hand without overwhelming a new employee.

Technical writing careers

Getting into technical writing requires clear and concise communication skills. Some background familiarity with the topics you write on can help; however, it is not necessary. One key benefit of technical writing is that the more you write on a particular subject, the more research you must do on it and the more of an expert you become. Building out technical topics in which you want to become an expert in can help not only your understanding of the material, but also your ability to communicate it clearly to your readers.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that technical writing careers are expected to increase by 8% over the next ten years. In the emerging tech, startup, and small business spaces, technical writing will increasingly be a skill demanded by employers. Outside of the tech industry, technical writers are often needed in financial, health, and academic settings as well.

Start writing

Technical writing is a skill in demand by industries that need to relay important and helpful technical information to a wide reader base. If you’re looking to get into writing, or have a strong writing background and are looking for a career in business or a freelance writing job , consider technical writing as a way to highlight your skills while helping readers of all backgrounds and interests learn about complex topics.

Rob is a former content associate at G2. Originally from New Jersey, he previously worked at an NYC-based business travel startup. (he/him/his)

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Here's What You Need to Understand About Research Methodology

Table of Contents

Research methodology involves a systematic and well-structured approach to conducting scholarly or scientific inquiries. Knowing the significance of research methodology and its different components is crucial as it serves as the basis for any study.

Typically, your research topic will start as a broad idea you want to investigate more thoroughly. Once you’ve identified a research problem and created research questions , you must choose the appropriate methodology and frameworks to address those questions effectively.

What is the definition of a research methodology?

Research methodology is the process or the way you intend to execute your study. The methodology section of a research paper outlines how you plan to conduct your study. It covers various steps such as collecting data, statistical analysis, observing participants, and other procedures involved in the research process

The methods section should give a description of the process that will convert your idea into a study. Additionally, the outcomes of your process must provide valid and reliable results resonant with the aims and objectives of your research. This thumb rule holds complete validity, no matter whether your paper has inclinations for qualitative or quantitative usage.

Studying research methods used in related studies can provide helpful insights and direction for your own research. Now easily discover papers related to your topic on SciSpace and utilize our AI research assistant, Copilot , to quickly review the methodologies applied in different papers.

The need for a good research methodology

While deciding on your approach towards your research, the reason or factors you weighed in choosing a particular problem and formulating a research topic need to be validated and explained. A research methodology helps you do exactly that. Moreover, a good research methodology lets you build your argument to validate your research work performed through various data collection methods, analytical methods, and other essential points.

Just imagine it as a strategy documented to provide an overview of what you intend to do.

While undertaking any research writing or performing the research itself, you may get drifted in not something of much importance. In such a case, a research methodology helps you to get back to your outlined work methodology.

A research methodology helps in keeping you accountable for your work. Additionally, it can help you evaluate whether your work is in sync with your original aims and objectives or not. Besides, a good research methodology enables you to navigate your research process smoothly and swiftly while providing effective planning to achieve your desired results.

What is the basic structure of a research methodology?

Usually, you must ensure to include the following stated aspects while deciding over the basic structure of your research methodology:

1. Your research procedure

Explain what research methods you’re going to use. Whether you intend to proceed with quantitative or qualitative, or a composite of both approaches, you need to state that explicitly. The option among the three depends on your research’s aim, objectives, and scope.

2. Provide the rationality behind your chosen approach

Based on logic and reason, let your readers know why you have chosen said research methodologies. Additionally, you have to build strong arguments supporting why your chosen research method is the best way to achieve the desired outcome.

3. Explain your mechanism

The mechanism encompasses the research methods or instruments you will use to develop your research methodology. It usually refers to your data collection methods. You can use interviews, surveys, physical questionnaires, etc., of the many available mechanisms as research methodology instruments. The data collection method is determined by the type of research and whether the data is quantitative data(includes numerical data) or qualitative data (perception, morale, etc.) Moreover, you need to put logical reasoning behind choosing a particular instrument.

4. Significance of outcomes

The results will be available once you have finished experimenting. However, you should also explain how you plan to use the data to interpret the findings. This section also aids in understanding the problem from within, breaking it down into pieces, and viewing the research problem from various perspectives.

5. Reader’s advice

Anything that you feel must be explained to spread more awareness among readers and focus groups must be included and described in detail. You should not just specify your research methodology on the assumption that a reader is aware of the topic.  

All the relevant information that explains and simplifies your research paper must be included in the methodology section. If you are conducting your research in a non-traditional manner, give a logical justification and list its benefits.

6. Explain your sample space

Include information about the sample and sample space in the methodology section. The term "sample" refers to a smaller set of data that a researcher selects or chooses from a larger group of people or focus groups using a predetermined selection method. Let your readers know how you are going to distinguish between relevant and non-relevant samples. How you figured out those exact numbers to back your research methodology, i.e. the sample spacing of instruments, must be discussed thoroughly.

For example, if you are going to conduct a survey or interview, then by what procedure will you select the interviewees (or sample size in case of surveys), and how exactly will the interview or survey be conducted.

7. Challenges and limitations

This part, which is frequently assumed to be unnecessary, is actually very important. The challenges and limitations that your chosen strategy inherently possesses must be specified while you are conducting different types of research.

The importance of a good research methodology

You must have observed that all research papers, dissertations, or theses carry a chapter entirely dedicated to research methodology. This section helps maintain your credibility as a better interpreter of results rather than a manipulator.

A good research methodology always explains the procedure, data collection methods and techniques, aim, and scope of the research. In a research study, it leads to a well-organized, rationality-based approach, while the paper lacking it is often observed as messy or disorganized.

You should pay special attention to validating your chosen way towards the research methodology. This becomes extremely important in case you select an unconventional or a distinct method of execution.

Curating and developing a strong, effective research methodology can assist you in addressing a variety of situations, such as:

• When someone tries to duplicate or expand upon your research after few years.
• If a contradiction or conflict of facts occurs at a later time. This gives you the security you need to deal with these contradictions while still being able to defend your approach.
• Gaining a tactical approach in getting your research completed in time. Just ensure you are using the right approach while drafting your research methodology, and it can help you achieve your desired outcomes. Additionally, it provides a better explanation and understanding of the research question itself.
• Documenting the results so that the final outcome of the research stays as you intended it to be while starting.

Instruments you could use while writing a good research methodology

As a researcher, you must choose which tools or data collection methods that fit best in terms of the relevance of your research. This decision has to be wise.

There exists many research equipments or tools that you can use to carry out your research process. These are classified as:

a. Interviews (One-on-One or a Group)

An interview aimed to get your desired research outcomes can be undertaken in many different ways. For example, you can design your interview as structured, semi-structured, or unstructured. What sets them apart is the degree of formality in the questions. On the other hand, in a group interview, your aim should be to collect more opinions and group perceptions from the focus groups on a certain topic rather than looking out for some formal answers.

In surveys, you are in better control if you specifically draft the questions you seek the response for. For example, you may choose to include free-style questions that can be answered descriptively, or you may provide a multiple-choice type response for questions. Besides, you can also opt to choose both ways, deciding what suits your research process and purpose better.

c. Sample Groups

Similar to the group interviews, here, you can select a group of individuals and assign them a topic to discuss or freely express their opinions over that. You can simultaneously note down the answers and later draft them appropriately, deciding on the relevance of every response.

d. Observations

If your research domain is humanities or sociology, observations are the best-proven method to draw your research methodology. Of course, you can always include studying the spontaneous response of the participants towards a situation or conducting the same but in a more structured manner. A structured observation means putting the participants in a situation at a previously decided time and then studying their responses.

Of all the tools described above, it is you who should wisely choose the instruments and decide what’s the best fit for your research. You must not restrict yourself from multiple methods or a combination of a few instruments if appropriate in drafting a good research methodology.

Types of research methodology

A research methodology exists in various forms. Depending upon their approach, whether centered around words, numbers, or both, methodologies are distinguished as qualitative, quantitative, or an amalgamation of both.

1. Qualitative research methodology

When a research methodology primarily focuses on words and textual data, then it is generally referred to as qualitative research methodology. This type is usually preferred among researchers when the aim and scope of the research are mainly theoretical and explanatory.

The instruments used are observations, interviews, and sample groups. You can use this methodology if you are trying to study human behavior or response in some situations. Generally, qualitative research methodology is widely used in sociology, psychology, and other related domains.

2. Quantitative research methodology

If your research is majorly centered on data, figures, and stats, then analyzing these numerical data is often referred to as quantitative research methodology. You can use quantitative research methodology if your research requires you to validate or justify the obtained results.

In quantitative methods, surveys, tests, experiments, and evaluations of current databases can be advantageously used as instruments If your research involves testing some hypothesis, then use this methodology.

3. Amalgam methodology

As the name suggests, the amalgam methodology uses both quantitative and qualitative approaches. This methodology is used when a part of the research requires you to verify the facts and figures, whereas the other part demands you to discover the theoretical and explanatory nature of the research question.

The instruments for the amalgam methodology require you to conduct interviews and surveys, including tests and experiments. The outcome of this methodology can be insightful and valuable as it provides precise test results in line with theoretical explanations and reasoning.

The amalgam method, makes your work both factual and rational at the same time.

Final words: How to decide which is the best research methodology?

If you have kept your sincerity and awareness intact with the aims and scope of research well enough, you must have got an idea of which research methodology suits your work best.

Before deciding which research methodology answers your research question, you must invest significant time in reading and doing your homework for that. Taking references that yield relevant results should be your first approach to establishing a research methodology.

Moreover, you should never refrain from exploring other options. Before setting your work in stone, you must try all the available options as it explains why the choice of research methodology that you finally make is more appropriate than the other available options.

You should always go for a quantitative research methodology if your research requires gathering large amounts of data, figures, and statistics. This research methodology will provide you with results if your research paper involves the validation of some hypothesis.

Whereas, if  you are looking for more explanations, reasons, opinions, and public perceptions around a theory, you must use qualitative research methodology.The choice of an appropriate research methodology ultimately depends on what you want to achieve through your research.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Research Methodology

1. how to write a research methodology.

You can always provide a separate section for research methodology where you should specify details about the methods and instruments used during the research, discussions on result analysis, including insights into the background information, and conveying the research limitations.

2. What are the types of research methodology?

There generally exists four types of research methodology i.e.

• Observation
• Experimental
• Derivational

3. What is the true meaning of research methodology?

The set of techniques or procedures followed to discover and analyze the information gathered to validate or justify a research outcome is generally called Research Methodology.

4. Where lies the importance of research methodology?

Your research methodology directly reflects the validity of your research outcomes and how well-informed your research work is. Moreover, it can help future researchers cite or refer to your research if they plan to use a similar research methodology.

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Tips for Doing Research in Technical Writing

We bring you a list of practical tips for doing research in technical writing. It's important to know what you need to do to write quality technical documentation.

Meticulous research is the hidden essence of all quality technical documentation.

Technical writers don’t just sit down and write. They spend hours and days gathering information, talking to experts, and verifying their sources before they feel confident enough to draft documentation for their end-users.

All of this work can get rather intense, which is why we’ve prepared a list of practical, actionable tips that will make your research efforts much more manageable and effective.

Read on and find out how to quickly and efficiently find and use the knowledge you need to write quality technical documentation.

Ask the Right Questions

The importance of beginning your research with the right set of questions cannot be understated. The right questions will inform your subsequent writing and keep you on topic, while the wrong questions will lead you down the wrong path and make your research chaotic and pointless.

This is something technical writing experts agree on. For example, Kesi Parker, a veteran of the industry, emphasizes the importance of formulating your questions well in research:

If you succeed in asking the right questions, you will be able to come up with a solid problem statement. Dip into your prior knowledge of the subject to do so. The right questions will be your guidance. Do not underestimate them.

The questions you need to ask are the ones that reflect the desired characteristics of your future document. Here are a couple of examples to get you inspired:

• Who will be reading my document? (Audience)
• What type of information is needed? ( Document type )
• Where can I find the information I need? (Knowledge)
• How can I present this information for optimal user experience? (Formatting)
• What should be included in the final document? (Document resources)

By answering at least some of these questions, the methodology of your research will start to take shape, and you will begin to understand which steps to take to research your topic efficiently.

For example, if you’re researching connectivity issues with your product, the answers to these questions might lead you to the conclusion that you should write a troubleshooting guide (doc type) for IT administrators (audience).

These answers already point to the conclusion that you will need to focus on problems faced by users instead of, for example, user goals and that you’ll be providing highly technical information in the document.

This technical information could be obtained from the developers working on the product or the customer support team who has solved such problems in the past (knowledge).

Finally, by answering the last two questions, you might decide to ask for step-by-step instructions from the above-mentioned experts (formatting) and find or create screenshots and diagrams to go with your instructions (resources).

In this way, answering a simple set of questions has provided you with specific steps to find the information you’re looking for.

The research phase can now truly begin.

Identify Credible Sources

Before you dive deeper into your research, it’s important to identify which sources of information you can safely and confidently use in your research so as not to relay any inaccurate or outdated information to your end-users.

Your first and quite possibly the most credible source of information should be the product itself.

If you’re researching a certain feature in order to write a technical document about it, it only makes sense to explore that feature and see how it works for yourself.

For example, let’s say you’re documenting automation software, such as Zapier. Your first step might be to open the application and try out its features.

By gaining first-hand experience with the product, you’ll be able to write clear, accurate instructions for the product because you’ll be relying on your own knowledge.

Moving past the product, your next set of information sources are the company’s internal resources, which should be highly credible since they are so closely related to the product.

These resources can include subject matter experts (SMEs) that have developed the product or any existing internal documentation you can draw knowledge from.

The former will be discussed in a later section. As for the latter, these can be documents such as the comments and notes created by the development team or technical documentation created for a similar product.

These can be extremely useful for your research, but you’ll have to ascertain that they are accurate and up to date. A good way to do that is to ensure that you have the latest version of a document or to check if the document is marked as verified.

Some documentation software, Archbee included, has features that enable stakeholders in the project to mark a document verified and up to date, which makes it very unlikely that you’ll be using the wrong version.

The point of all of this is to ensure that you’re always working with information that’s as fresh and correct as possible, as this is the only way to ensure your documentation will be helpful to users.

In that regard, the people involved with the product, the information they’ve produced, as well as the product itself are your most credible sources of information.

Keep a Resource List

You may have deduced from our previous section that identifying credible sources might take some effort, especially if your company keeps meticulous records during product development.

There might be a lot to go through, so to save time and effort, it’s a good idea to build an archive of documents or a resource list so that you can always access quality information quickly and without rummaging through your company’s records.

For instance, let’s say your team is developing a new feature for your product and holding frequent meetings for it.

If you’re participating in those meetings, your notes could be an invaluable resource for your research process, so it’s a good idea to archive them carefully for later use.

If your team is holding virtual meetings on Microsoft Teams, you could even record them and build an archive of video recordings you can later access to find out crucial information about the product that will make its way into your documentation.

Similarly, if there are any online resources you frequently turn to when writing documentation, such as technical writing style guides , or code references, it’s a good practice to build a catalog of bookmarks so that you can access these materials whenever you need to.

Bookmarking tools such as Raindrop can help you with this.

Raindrop enables you to organize your bookmarks into collections and provides navigational help with tagging and highlighting features so you can find everything in a couple of clicks.

During the documentation process, you’ll need to frequently access a lot of different types of resources. To make your job easier, start compiling a resource list early on in the research phase.

That way, you’ll have easy access to every bit of information you’ve collected when it’s time to sit down and write.

Consult With Subject Matter Experts

Apart from the information that can be collected from internal documents and external resources, crucial knowledge can also be obtained from the valuable team members who developed the product.

These are called subject matter experts (SMEs) , and extracting knowledge from them is an essential part of technical writing.

Writers contact and/or meet with experts daily to get answers to their questions about the product, follow up on information, and obtain accuracy reviews for their documentation.

The format for the collaboration between writers and SMEs is usually the interview. During their research, writers need comprehensive information about how the product works, so it’s a good idea to block off time to sit down and get as much information about the product as possible.

The key to a good SME interview is preparation. By the time you’re consulting SMEs, you should already have some first-hand experience with the product and some knowledge from other available resources.

Technical writers claim that the best way to conduct the interview is by asking open-ended questions and allowing the interviewee to do most of the talking. The questions usually revolve around the basic characteristics of the product.

You can record their answers by taking comprehensive notes or recording the interview (especially if it’s a virtual meeting).

Your aim should be to capture every bit of knowledge you need in just one interview, but keep in mind that it’s perfectly fine to follow up on the meeting and ask for further clarification.

Good writers tie up every loose end before sitting down to write. Bad ones get embarrassed about contacting SMEs a second time and opt instead to publish unverified information in their documentation.

Remember, subject matter experts are the people that brought the product you’re documenting into existence. As such, they are the most authoritative source of knowledge about the product and should definitely be consulted during the research phase.

Stay Focused on the Topic

If you followed our advice this far, you should have a wealth of credible information and valuable knowledge at your disposal during the research phase of the documentation process. That’s great, but you should be aware that having too much information can be detrimental to quality research.

That’s because doing too much research and getting bogged down in the details can waste a lot of time and pull you off-topic. That’s not a very efficient approach to research, so here are some tips for staying focused on the topic at hand.

One idea is to take up the practice of mind mapping. Mind maps put your research topic at the center and allow you to brainstorm all the aspects connected to it. This allows you to come up with an exhaustive list of components you need to research and enables you to imagine the relationships between them.

You can use software tools such as Coggle to easily map out your research in visual terms.

So, for example, if you needed to research the API of your product in order to write an API guide, your mind map might contain components such as:

• Installation instructions
• Code examples
• Possible error codes and their solutions

Once you have everything mapped out, you can start researching every component and focus on only the components of your mind map, leaving everything else aside.

Another way to go about this is to use document templates. A template is essentially an outline of your future document, and it already contains the document components that just need to be filled out with specific information.

For example, here’s a template for tech specifications created using Archbee:

By using a template like this, you’ll know exactly which information to research and include in your document, making your effort more concentrated and effective.

Anything that’s not in the template can, once again, be left aside. For instance, a tech specification doesn’t contain any sort of instructions on how to use the product, so you can skip researching product usage for this document.

Where research is concerned, technical writers really can have too much of a good thing. To prevent yourself from getting sidetracked because of too much information, use the advice we outlined above to keep your research focused and on point.

Verify Gathered Information

During your research efforts, you may come across some problematic data that just doesn’t fit into everything you know about the product. Therefore, as a part of the research phase, you’ll need to take extra steps to verify your information and ensure it’s accurate.

The problems with your data may come in one of the following forms:

• Two pieces of information contradicting each other
• Instructions that don’t lead to the expected outcomes
• Information that defies logic

For example, an important step might be missing from the instructions you were given by an SME, which impedes the use of the product.

So, how does information verification work for technical writers?

Well, remember how we said that your first and most reliable source of information is the product itself? This is exactly why.

A lot of information you obtain from SMEs and other resources can be verified within the product. For example, if your SME has given you instructions on how to install the product, your first action after the interview should be to test those instructions out exactly as they were given.

If following the instructions produces the desired outcome (successful installation), then the information you’ve been given can be considered accurate and verified. If not, you’ll need to follow up with your SME and ask for clarification.

If the information cannot be verified by using the product or checking with SMEs, there are still some steps you can take to ensure the data is correct.

For example, you can check to see if the version of the document you’re looking at is the last one.

This is especially important in technical writing for software because the product will go through multiple phases of development (or versions) before it’s ready to launch, so the information might change rapidly.

Finally, depending on how the documentation at your company is created, you might also be able to look up the author and contributors of the document and decide if the information comes from a trustworthy source.

Quality documentation software usually comes with this feature. Here’s how it looks in Archbee. Just hover your mouse over the icon of the author at the bottom of the page.

Working with verified information is paramount for quality research. If you notice anything problematic about the data you’ve collected, make sure you’ve verified the information before including it in the final draft of the documentation.

Technical writers need access to credible, verified, and relevant information if they are to create technical documentation of the same character.

This kind of information can only be obtained through meticulous research that includes identifying the right questions and topics, as well as the right resources.

In this article, we’ve given you six tips for gathering quality information and consuming it in an effective and time-efficient way.

By implementing our tips into your research methods, you’ll be able to arm yourself with the best available information and write documentation that will never fail to help your end-users.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can technical documentation writers conduct productive research, what is the role of subject matter experts (smes) in technical writing research, what is the importance of mind mapping and document templates in technical writing research, why is information verification crucial in technical writing research, what is the importance of creating a resource list in technical writing research.

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• What Is a Research Methodology? | Steps & Tips

What Is a Research Methodology? | Steps & Tips

Published on August 25, 2022 by Shona McCombes and Tegan George. Revised on November 20, 2023.

Your research methodology discusses and explains the data collection and analysis methods you used in your research. A key part of your thesis, dissertation , or research paper , the methodology chapter explains what you did and how you did it, allowing readers to evaluate the reliability and validity of your research and your dissertation topic .

It should include:

• The type of research you conducted
• How you collected and analyzed your data
• Any tools or materials you used in the research
• How you mitigated or avoided research biases
• Why you chose these methods
• Your methodology section should generally be written in the past tense .
• Academic style guides in your field may provide detailed guidelines on what to include for different types of studies.
• Your citation style might provide guidelines for your methodology section (e.g., an APA Style methods section ).

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Table of contents

How to write a research methodology, why is a methods section important, step 1: explain your methodological approach, step 2: describe your data collection methods, step 3: describe your analysis method, step 4: evaluate and justify the methodological choices you made, tips for writing a strong methodology chapter, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about methodology.

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Your methods section is your opportunity to share how you conducted your research and why you chose the methods you chose. It’s also the place to show that your research was rigorously conducted and can be replicated .

It gives your research legitimacy and situates it within your field, and also gives your readers a place to refer to if they have any questions or critiques in other sections.

You can start by introducing your overall approach to your research. You have two options here.

Option 1: Start with your “what”

What research problem or question did you investigate?

• Aim to describe the characteristics of something?
• Explore an under-researched topic?
• Establish a causal relationship?

And what type of data did you need to achieve this aim?

• Quantitative data , qualitative data , or a mix of both?
• Primary data collected yourself, or secondary data collected by someone else?
• Experimental data gathered by controlling and manipulating variables, or descriptive data gathered via observations?

Option 2: Start with your “why”

Depending on your discipline, you can also start with a discussion of the rationale and assumptions underpinning your methodology. In other words, why did you choose these methods for your study?

• Why is this the best way to answer your research question?
• Is this a standard methodology in your field, or does it require justification?
• Were there any ethical considerations involved in your choices?
• What are the criteria for validity and reliability in this type of research ? How did you prevent bias from affecting your data?

Once you have introduced your reader to your methodological approach, you should share full details about your data collection methods .

Quantitative methods

In order to be considered generalizable, you should describe quantitative research methods in enough detail for another researcher to replicate your study.

Here, explain how you operationalized your concepts and measured your variables. Discuss your sampling method or inclusion and exclusion criteria , as well as any tools, procedures, and materials you used to gather your data.

Surveys Describe where, when, and how the survey was conducted.

• How did you design the questionnaire?
• What form did your questions take (e.g., multiple choice, Likert scale )?
• Were your surveys conducted in-person or virtually?
• What sampling method did you use to select participants?
• What was your sample size and response rate?

Experiments Share full details of the tools, techniques, and procedures you used to conduct your experiment.

• How did you design the experiment ?
• How did you recruit participants?
• How did you manipulate and measure the variables ?
• What tools did you use?

Existing data Explain how you gathered and selected the material (such as datasets or archival data) that you used in your analysis.

• Where did you source the material?
• How was the data originally produced?
• What criteria did you use to select material (e.g., date range)?

The survey consisted of 5 multiple-choice questions and 10 questions measured on a 7-point Likert scale.

The goal was to collect survey responses from 350 customers visiting the fitness apparel company’s brick-and-mortar location in Boston on July 4–8, 2022, between 11:00 and 15:00.

Here, a customer was defined as a person who had purchased a product from the company on the day they took the survey. Participants were given 5 minutes to fill in the survey anonymously. In total, 408 customers responded, but not all surveys were fully completed. Due to this, 371 survey results were included in the analysis.

• Information bias
• Omitted variable bias
• Regression to the mean
• Survivorship bias
• Undercoverage bias
• Sampling bias

Qualitative methods

In qualitative research , methods are often more flexible and subjective. For this reason, it’s crucial to robustly explain the methodology choices you made.

Be sure to discuss the criteria you used to select your data, the context in which your research was conducted, and the role you played in collecting your data (e.g., were you an active participant, or a passive observer?)

Interviews or focus groups Describe where, when, and how the interviews were conducted.

• How did you find and select participants?
• How many participants took part?
• What form did the interviews take ( structured , semi-structured , or unstructured )?
• How long were the interviews?
• How were they recorded?

Participant observation Describe where, when, and how you conducted the observation or ethnography .

• What group or community did you observe? How long did you spend there?
• How did you gain access to this group? What role did you play in the community?
• How long did you spend conducting the research? Where was it located?
• How did you record your data (e.g., audiovisual recordings, note-taking)?

Existing data Explain how you selected case study materials for your analysis.

• What type of materials did you analyze?
• How did you select them?

In order to gain better insight into possibilities for future improvement of the fitness store’s product range, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 8 returning customers.

Here, a returning customer was defined as someone who usually bought products at least twice a week from the store.

Surveys were used to select participants. Interviews were conducted in a small office next to the cash register and lasted approximately 20 minutes each. Answers were recorded by note-taking, and seven interviews were also filmed with consent. One interviewee preferred not to be filmed.

• The Hawthorne effect
• Observer bias
• The placebo effect
• Response bias and Nonresponse bias
• The Pygmalion effect
• Recall bias
• Social desirability bias
• Self-selection bias

Mixed methods

Mixed methods research combines quantitative and qualitative approaches. If a standalone quantitative or qualitative study is insufficient to answer your research question, mixed methods may be a good fit for you.

Mixed methods are less common than standalone analyses, largely because they require a great deal of effort to pull off successfully. If you choose to pursue mixed methods, it’s especially important to robustly justify your methods.

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Next, you should indicate how you processed and analyzed your data. Avoid going into too much detail: you should not start introducing or discussing any of your results at this stage.

In quantitative research , your analysis will be based on numbers. In your methods section, you can include:

• How you prepared the data before analyzing it (e.g., checking for missing data , removing outliers , transforming variables)
• Which software you used (e.g., SPSS, Stata or R)
• Which statistical tests you used (e.g., two-tailed t test , simple linear regression )

In qualitative research, your analysis will be based on language, images, and observations (often involving some form of textual analysis ).

Specific methods might include:

• Content analysis : Categorizing and discussing the meaning of words, phrases and sentences
• Thematic analysis : Coding and closely examining the data to identify broad themes and patterns
• Discourse analysis : Studying communication and meaning in relation to their social context

Mixed methods combine the above two research methods, integrating both qualitative and quantitative approaches into one coherent analytical process.

Above all, your methodology section should clearly make the case for why you chose the methods you did. This is especially true if you did not take the most standard approach to your topic. In this case, discuss why other methods were not suitable for your objectives, and show how this approach contributes new knowledge or understanding.

In any case, it should be overwhelmingly clear to your reader that you set yourself up for success in terms of your methodology’s design. Show how your methods should lead to results that are valid and reliable, while leaving the analysis of the meaning, importance, and relevance of your results for your discussion section .

• Quantitative: Lab-based experiments cannot always accurately simulate real-life situations and behaviors, but they are effective for testing causal relationships between variables .
• Qualitative: Unstructured interviews usually produce results that cannot be generalized beyond the sample group , but they provide a more in-depth understanding of participants’ perceptions, motivations, and emotions.
• Mixed methods: Despite issues systematically comparing differing types of data, a solely quantitative study would not sufficiently incorporate the lived experience of each participant, while a solely qualitative study would be insufficiently generalizable.

Remember that your aim is not just to describe your methods, but to show how and why you applied them. Again, it’s critical to demonstrate that your research was rigorously conducted and can be replicated.

1. Focus on your objectives and research questions

The methodology section should clearly show why your methods suit your objectives and convince the reader that you chose the best possible approach to answering your problem statement and research questions .

2. Cite relevant sources

Your methodology can be strengthened by referencing existing research in your field. This can help you to:

• Show that you followed established practice for your type of research
• Discuss how you decided on your approach by evaluating existing research
• Present a novel methodological approach to address a gap in the literature

3. Write for your audience

Consider how much information you need to give, and avoid getting too lengthy. If you are using methods that are standard for your discipline, you probably don’t need to give a lot of background or justification.

Regardless, your methodology should be a clear, well-structured text that makes an argument for your approach, not just a list of technical details and procedures.

If you want to know more about statistics , methodology , or research bias , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

• Normal distribution
• Measures of central tendency
• Chi square tests
• Confidence interval
• Quartiles & Quantiles

Methodology

• Cluster sampling
• Stratified sampling
• Thematic analysis
• Cohort study
• Peer review
• Ethnography

Research bias

• Implicit bias
• Cognitive bias
• Conformity bias
• Hawthorne effect
• Availability heuristic
• Attrition bias

Methodology refers to the overarching strategy and rationale of your research project . It involves studying the methods used in your field and the theories or principles behind them, in order to develop an approach that matches your objectives.

Methods are the specific tools and procedures you use to collect and analyze data (for example, experiments, surveys , and statistical tests ).

In shorter scientific papers, where the aim is to report the findings of a specific study, you might simply describe what you did in a methods section .

In a longer or more complex research project, such as a thesis or dissertation , you will probably include a methodology section , where you explain your approach to answering the research questions and cite relevant sources to support your choice of methods.

In a scientific paper, the methodology always comes after the introduction and before the results , discussion and conclusion . The same basic structure also applies to a thesis, dissertation , or research proposal .

Depending on the length and type of document, you might also include a literature review or theoretical framework before the methodology.

Quantitative research deals with numbers and statistics, while qualitative research deals with words and meanings.

Quantitative methods allow you to systematically measure variables and test hypotheses . Qualitative methods allow you to explore concepts and experiences in more detail.

Reliability and validity are both about how well a method measures something:

• Reliability refers to the  consistency of a measure (whether the results can be reproduced under the same conditions).
• Validity   refers to the  accuracy of a measure (whether the results really do represent what they are supposed to measure).

If you are doing experimental research, you also have to consider the internal and external validity of your experiment.

A sample is a subset of individuals from a larger population . Sampling means selecting the group that you will actually collect data from in your research. For example, if you are researching the opinions of students in your university, you could survey a sample of 100 students.

In statistics, sampling allows you to test a hypothesis about the characteristics of a population.

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Section 1: Choosing Your Topic

Section 2: literature review, section 3: structuring your paper, section 4: peer review and feedback, section 5: editing and proofreading, section 6: references and citations, section 7: submission and publication, research papers made easy: a comprehensive writing guide.

• Read in 07 mins
• 26-Oct-2023

Writing a technical or research paper can be both a tricky and enjoyable experience. It's an essential skill for researchers, scientists, and academics, as it allows you to communicate your findings and contribute to the world of knowledge. However, the question that arises is: How to write a technical paper?

The method of writing a technical paper can be complicated if you don't have a specific structure and plan in place. We will guide you through the fundamental elements and tips to help you write an effective research paper in this step-by-step guide. Whether you are a skilled writer or just starting, having a well-defined structure is key to maintaining clarity and coherence in your technical or research paper.

The first step in technical paper writing is to choose a topic that is interesting as well as relevant to your field of study. Consider the current trends and advancements in your field, and identify a topic that you are passionate about and have a good understanding of. It's important to choose a topic that is neither too broad nor too narrow, as this will facilitate thorough research and analysis.

The Significance of a Well-Chosen Topic

The journey to writing a successful research paper begins with selecting a topic. This initial step is crucial as it shapes the entire research process. Two primary factors should influence your choice:

1. Your Interest

When you are genuinely interested in a topic, you are more likely to dedicate the time and effort needed to explore and analyze it thoroughly. Passion for your chosen topic is a driving force in research. It keeps you enlightened and committed throughout the writing process. Research is a long-haul commitment, so make sure you're passionate about the subject you're about to delve into.

2. Relevance and Significance

Select a topic that's relevant and significant. Your paper's impact largely depends on the relevance of the topic to your field of study or area of interest. By selecting a topic that aligns with your field of study or area of interest, you can contribute to the pre-existing body structure of knowledge and make a valuable contribution to your academic community.

3. Finding Your Research Question

Once you've identified your area of interest, you need to narrow it down to a specific research question. Your research question should be clear, concise, and researchable. It acts as the guiding star throughout your research journey.

A well-crafted research question will help you focus your efforts and ensure that you gather relevant data and information. It should be specific enough to provide meaningful results but broad enough to allow for exploration and analysis.

Bonus Read: Exploring the 11 Types of Technical Writing

The literature review serves multiple purposes, including providing a comprehensive understanding of the present condition of details in your field, identifying gaps or inconsistencies in previous research, and informing the development of your research question.

The Foundation of Your Research

A thorough literature review is required before carrying out your research. This step involves exploring existing work in your field, understanding the landscape of your chosen topic, and identifying gaps in knowledge. For example, let's say you are researching the effects of social media on mental health among teenagers.

In your literature review, start by examining existing studies and theories on both social media and mental health. You may find that there is a significant amount of research on the negative impacts of excessive social media usage, such as increased anxiety and depression among teenagers.

However, during your review, you noticed a gap in the literature regarding the possible positive effects of social media on mental health. This observation leads you to develop your research question: "What are the potential positive effects of using social media for promoting mental health among teenagers?"

From this example, a thorough literature review not only helps you understand what has already been studied but also identifies gaps in the existing research. This research question opens up new possibilities for exploring how social media can be utilized as a tool for promoting mental well-being among teenagers, potentially leading to innovative interventions and strategies in this area.

A well-organized structure is the backbone of a research paper. It helps convey your ideas clearly and logically. A typical structure comprises:

Introduction

• Research Question: Clearly state your research question.
• Objectives: Mention the objectives of your research.
• Significance: Explain the significance of your research topic.
• Structure: Outline the structure of your paper.

Literature Review

• Existing Work: Summarize and analyze relevant literature.
• Identified Gaps: Highlight the gaps that your research addresses.
• Framework: Provide a conceptual framework for your research.

Methodology

• Data Collection: Describe the methods used to gather data.
• Participants: Provide information on your study's participants (if applicable).
• Ethical Considerations: Explain ethical considerations.
• Data Analysis: Describe the methods used for data analysis.
• Data Presentation: Present your research findings using tables, graphs, or other visual aids.
• Statistical Analysis: If necessary, use statistical analysis to support your findings.
• Interpretation: Understanding the results in the context of your research question.
• Implications: Discuss the implications of your findings.
• Limitations: Acknowledge the limitations of your research.
• Future Research: Suggest areas for future research based on your findings.
• Summary: Summarize your main findings.
• Contributions: Emphasize the contributions your research makes.
• Final Thoughts: Conclude with your final thoughts on the research.

Simple and easy-to-understandable writing is necessary. Avoid complex, convoluted sentences that may confuse readers. Simplicity enhances comprehension. Make use of graphs, charts, and tables to present data effectively, enhancing reader engagement.

Seeking feedback from fellows, mentors, or professors is invaluable. Peer review ensures the quality of your paper and helps identify areas for improvement. During the research paper writing process, it is crucial to engage in peer review and seek feedback from peers, mentors, or professors.

This step is essential as it helps ensure the quality of your paper and allows you to identify areas that need improvement. Incorporating feedback from others not only enhances the overall quality of your writing but also helps you gain a fresh perspective on your work. By soliciting input from others, you can address any possible weaknesses or gaps in your argument, ensuring that your paper is comprehensive and well-rounded.

Editing and proofreading are the final touches that transform your research paper into a polished gem. It's essential to edit your paper for clarity, grammar, style, and formatting. During the editing process, you can also check for any inconsistencies or redundancies in your writing.

Additionally, proofreading allows you to catch any spelling or punctuation errors that may have been overlooked. By taking the time to edit and proofread your paper carefully, you demonstrate your commitment to producing a high-quality piece of work.

Some tools that can help with editing and proofreading a research paper include:

• Grammar and spell checkers, such as Grammarly or Hemingway Editor, can catch any errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Style guides, such as the APA or the MLA style guides, can also be useful for ensuring consistency in formatting and citations.

This section is crucial as it allows readers to find and confirm the sources you have used in your paper. When writing a paper, it is important to avoid plagiarism by properly citing your sources in the references and citations section. It is essential to ensure this and follow the guidelines provided by the specific style guide you are using, like APA or MLA.

These style guides provide detailed instructions on how to format different types of sources, including books, journal articles, websites, and more.

• Suppose you are writing a research paper on climate change, and you want to include a statistic from a scientific study. In that case, you need to cite the source in your references and citations section properly.
• In the APA style guide, you would format the citation as follows: Smith, J. D., Johnson, A. B., & Thompson, C. (2019). The impact of climate change over global temperatures. Journal of Environmental Science, 45(2), 132-150. (Note: This is just an example, and the actual citation format may vary depending on the specific guidelines of the APA style guide).
• By including this citation in your paper, readers can locate the original study and verify the information you have included. It not only adds credibility to your paper but also gives proper credit to the authors of the study.

Once your paper is polished and ready, it's time to consider submission and publication. This step is the culmination of your hard work, where you share your findings with the academic community. Each journal or conference will have its submission guidelines that you must adhere to.

For example, suppose you are submitting a paper to a scientific journal. In that case, you may be required to include an abstract or keywords and follow specific formatting guidelines. These guidelines are crucial to ensure that your paper meets the standards and requirements of the publication.

This guide discussed various steps on how to write a technical paper or research paper. It is a journey of discovery where you not only contribute to the collective knowledge of your field but also enhance your own research and writing skills.

Remember, the journey starts with choosing a compelling topic that resonates with you. The literature review lays the foundation for your research, and rigorous data collection ensures the credibility of your work. Our technical writing services can provide valuable assistance in organizing and presenting your findings clearly and straightforwardly.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mary has extensive experience of over 5 years in writing on a wide range of topics, including healthcare, technology, science, and business. She is highly knowledgeable and skilled in researching and crafting accurate, well-structured, and engaging content. Mary is a reliable and professional writer who is always willing to go the extra mile to ensure her clients are satisfied with her work. She is committed to delivering quality content on time and within budget.

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5. RESEARCH METHODS

Most projects you work on—whether you are developing innovative new products, planning or implementing ideas, proposing ideas, or recommending solutions—will require research. Research can save you time by determining what other similar designs/solutions have already been proposed, what has been tried and tested in the past and what the results were, what patents are already in place, and so forth. It also helps you to understand the background of your project and how it fits into a larger context. Finally, research is necessary to help you to develop and validate your ideas by showing how similar projects have had beneficial outcomes. Researching is one of the key steps in any design process.

Chapter 5 Learning Objectives

The chapter contains the following sections that will help you develop your research skills and meet the following learning objectives:

5.1 Research Terminology : understand basic terms related to conducting and disseminating various kinds of research.

5.2 Finding and Evaluating Research Sources : review various kinds of sources and how to determine their reliability, authority, and relevance as research sources in professional context.

5.3 Defining the Scope of Your Project : understand how to use various methods to refine the scope of your project and determine a focused research question for a problem-based project.

5.4 Human Research Ethics : understand the requirements and protocols for conducting primary research using human subjects ( e.g. : surveys, interviews, focus groups, etc.)

5.5 Stakeholder Engagement and Consultation : Understand what stakeholders are, how to map the stakeholders related to your project, and the general types of engagement strategies commonly used in public engagement plans.

Technical Writing Essentials Copyright © 2019 by Suzan Last is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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5. CONDUCTING RESEARCH

Most projects you work on—whether you are developing innovative new products, planning or implementing ideas, proposing ideas, or recommending solutions—will require research. Research can save you time by determining what other similar designs/solutions have already been proposed, what has been tried and tested in the past and what the results were, what patents are already in place, and so forth. It also helps you to understand the background of your project and how it fits into a larger context. Finally, research is necessary to help you to develop and validate your ideas by showing how similar projects have had beneficial outcomes. Researching is one of the key steps in any design process.

Chapter 5 Learning Objectives

The chapter contains the following sections that will help you develop your research skills and meet the following learning objectives:

5.1 Research Terminology : understand basic terms related to conducting and disseminating various kinds of research.

5.2 Finding and Evaluating Research Sources : review various kinds of sources and how to determine their reliability, authority, and relevance as research sources in professional context.

5.3 Defining the Scope of Your Project : understand how to use various methods to refine the scope of your project and determine a focused research question for a problem-based project.

5.4 Human Research Ethics : understand the requirements and protocols for conducting primary research using human subjects ( e.g. : surveys, interviews, focus groups, etc.)

5.5 Stakeholder Engagement and Consultation : Understand what stakeholders are, how to map the stakeholders related to your project, and the general types of engagement strategies commonly used in public engagement plans.

Technical Writing Essentials Copyright © 2019 by Suzan Last is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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11 – Research

Research Methods and Methodologies

Suzan Last; Nicole Hagstrom-Schmidt; and Matt McKinney

Data alone, regardless of its type, does not mean anything until you interpret it. The processes that you use to collect, analyze, and organize your data are your research methods . Research methods are often categorized as quantitative , qualitative or mixed method . Some projects,  such as lab experiments, require the use of the scientific method of inquiry, observation, quantitative data collection, analysis, and conclusions to test a hypothesis. Other kinds of projects take a more deductive approach and gather both quantitative and qualitative evidence to support a position or recommendation. The research methods you choose will be determined by the goals and scope of your project, and by your intended audience’s expectations.

Data Collection

In terms of data collection, there are a variety of qualitative and quantitative methods available. A list of several common primary data collection methods is provided below. Note that each method follows a specific protocol both to ensure the validity of the data and to protect any human or animal subjects involved. For more on research that uses human participants, see the “ Human Research Ethics ” section later in this chapter.

Interviews. Interviews are one-on-one or small group question and answer sessions. Interviews will provide detailed information from a small number of people and are useful when you want to get an expert opinion on your topic.

Surveys/Questionnaires. Surveys are a form of questioning that is less flexible than interviews, as the questions are set ahead of time and cannot be changed. Surveys can be in print format or delivered electronically. This method can reach much larger groups of people than interviews, but it results in less detailed responses.

On-site research. These observations involve taking organized notes about occurrences at a determined research site. Research sites may be physical locations, such as a local gym or building site, or they may be virtual, such as an online forum or event. Observations allow you to gain objective information without the potentially biased viewpoint of an interview or survey.

Experiments. Whether in the lab or in the field, experiments are designed to test hypotheses and verify previous results. Experiments are prepared by using standard protocols and careful testing in order to protect the researchers and their subjects, as well as to isolate specific variables.

Simulations. Typically designed and run using computer programs, simulations are a type of experiment that tests hypotheses and solutions in a virtual setting that approximates the real world. Simulations are usually an option for when in-person experiments are not feasible.

Primary source documents. More common in text-based fields, original written, visual, and/or audio sources can be used to locate specific data for further analysis and interpretation. In this method, the data collected could be words, images, sounds, or movements.

Effective Primary Research Design

In a technical and professional writing class you will likely use a few common primary research methods involving human subjects: surveys, interviews, and on-site research (field, lab, or simulation). While you are not expected to be an expert in any of these methods, you should approach them ethically and thoughtfully so as to protect any participants and to generate reliable, generalizable data.

Survey Questions

When designing surveys, remember the rhetorical situation. What are the goals of your survey? Who are you hoping will complete the survey? What will they know? What will they not know? How long can you expect them to engage with your survey? What is the best method of surveying them (online, say through Google Forms, or in person)? How many responses do you hope to obtain? Use this information to inform the design of your survey and any preliminary materials you include. All surveys should feature clear statements of purpose, as well as specific directions for answering the questions and how to contact the researcher if participants have any questions.

After determining your audience and purpose, you will need to design your questions. Remember, in all online surveys you will not be there to provide immediate clarification, so your questions need to be carefully worded to avoid confusion and researcher bias. As a rule, your survey questions should

Be as specific as possible. Avoid ambiguity by providing specific dates, events, or descriptors as necessary.

Ask only one question at a time. Specifically, avoid survey questions that require the participant to answer multiple items at once. This will confuse the reader as to what you are looking for and will likely skew your data.

Be neutral. Present your survey questions without leading, inflammatory, or judgmental language. Common leading survey questions that you want to avoid include phrasing like “Do you agree that our enemies are a threat to our way of life?” You will also want to avoid using language that is sexist, racist, or ableist. See Chapter 4: Persuasion for more information about loaded language.

Be organized logically. Questions should be presented in a way that makes sense to the participant. For example, if you introduce a concept in Question 1, you do not want to return to it again in Question 12. Follow-up questions and linked questions should be asked in succession rather than separated.

Allow participants to decline answering. In general, you will want to be wary of questions that require participants to divulge sensitive information, even if they are answering anonymously. This information could include details such as a trauma, eating disorders, or drug use. For research projects that require these questions, consult your university’s IRB (Internal Review Board). They may need you to fill out special documentation that accounts for how you will protect your participants.

After designing the questions, you will also need to consider how your participants can answer them. Depending, you may opt for quantitative data, which includes yes/no questions, multiple choice, Likert scales, or ranking. Note that what makes this data “quantitative” is that it can be easily converted into numerical data for analysis.  Alternatively, you may opt for qualitative data, which includes questions that require a written response from the participant. A description and some of the advantages of these answer styles follow below:

Yes/No (Quantitative). These simple questions allow for comparison but not much else. They can be useful as a preliminary question to warm up participants or open up a string of follow-up questions.

Multiple choice (Quantitative). These questions allow for pre-set answers and are particularly useful for collecting demographic data. For example, a multiple-choice question might look something like this: “How many years have you attended your university?” Depending on the question, you may wish to allow for a write-in response.

Likert scale (Quantitative). One of the most common answer types, the Likert scale is a rating, usually on a 1-5 scale. At one end of the scale, you will have an option such as “Definitely Agree” and on the other you will have “Definitely Disagree.” In the middle, if you choose to provide it, is a neutral option. Some answers in this format may use a wider range (1-10, for example), offer a “Not Applicable” option, or remove the neutral option. Be mindful of what these choices might mean. A wider scale could, in theory, mean more nuance, but only if the distinctions between each option are clear.

Ranking (Quantitative). In a ranking-based answer, you provide a list of options and prompt your participant to place them in a certain order. For example, you may be offering five potential solutions to a specific problem. After explaining the solutions, you ask your reader to identify which of the five is the best, which is second best, and so on. Participants may assign these items a number or rearrange their order on a screen.

Written responses (Qualitative). Especially when you want detailed, individualized data, you may choose for participants to provide written answers to your questions. This approach is beneficial in that you may receive particularly detailed responses or ideas that the survey did not address. You might also be able to privilege voices that are often drowned out in large surveys. However, keep in mind that many participants do not like responding to essay-style questions. These responses work best as follow-up questions midway or later in the survey.

Finally, before officially publishing your survey online or asking participants in person, make sure that you conduct preliminary testing. This preliminary testing is crucial. When seeking feedback, have your reviewers note any confusion or ambiguity in question wording, lack of clarity in question order, typographical errors, technical difficulties, and how long the survey took for them to complete. Remember, surveys with unclear questions and sloppy formatting annoy participants and damage your credibility. Conversely, the more professional a survey looks and the easier it is for your reader to complete it, the more likely you will receive useful responses.

Writing Engaging Research Interview Questions

Preparing good interview questions takes time, practice, and testing. Many novice interviewers go into interviews with the assumption that they do not need to prepare and are merely having a conversation. While this approach can generate information, these interviewers often find that several important questions were not addressed. When designing interview questions, you will want not only to consider the content of the question but also where the question appears in your list.

When preparing for an interview, first contact your potential interviewee as soon as possible. Individuals, especially those who work outside academia, may operate on timelines that may feel odd to college and university students. You will also want to prepare any equipment (such as a recorder or smart phone, but request permission first before recording!), questions, and IRB approval, if applicable.

Carter McNamara offers the following suggestions for wording interview questions. This passage is quoted in its entirety:

Wording should be open-ended. Respondents should be able to choose their own terms when answering questions.

Questions should be as neutral as possible. Avoid wording that might influence answers, e.g., evocative, judgmental wording.

Questions should be asked one at a time. Avoid asking multiple questions at once. If you have related questions, ask them separately as a follow-up question rather than part of the initial query.

Questions should be worded clearly. This includes knowing any terms particular to the program or the respondents’ culture.

Be careful asking “why” questions. This type of question infers a cause-effect relationship that may not truly exist. These questions may also cause respondents to feel defensive, e.g., that they have to justify their response, which may inhibit their responses to this and future questions. [1]

If you choose to have a face-to-face interview or interview over Zoom or Skype, show up on time and dress according to the level of the interviewee. Honoring the interviewee’s time by being punctual, having prepared questions, and not extending past an established time limit is crucial to both collecting good information and maintaining a positive relationship with the interviewee. For more information on designing effective interviews, see Appendix: Qualitative Interview Design.

Field Research

When conducting field research, or research that takes you outside of a lab or simulation, you will need to consider the following:

Gain appropriate permissions for researching the site. Your “site” is the location where you are conducting research. Sites could include potential locations for a community garden, a classroom where you’re observing student behaviors or a professor’s teaching strategies, or a local business. Certain sites will require specific permission from an owner or other individual. Depending on your study, you may also need to acquire IRB permission.

Know what you’re looking for. While people-watching is interesting, your most effective field research will be accomplished if you know roughly what you want to observe. For instance, say you are observing a large lecture from a 100-level class, and you are interested in how students use their laptops, tablets, or phones. In your observation, you would be specifically focusing on the students, with some attention to how they’re responding to the professor. You would not be as focused on the content of the professor’s lecture or if the students are doing non-electronic things such as doodling or talking to their classmates.

Take notes. Select your note-taking option and prepare backups. While in the field, you will be relying primarily on observation. Record as much data as possible and back up that data in multiple formats.

Be unobtrusive. In field research, you function as an observer rather than a participant. Therefore, do your best to avoid influencing what is happening at the research site.

Data Interpretation

Methods also include ways of interpreting and organizing data, either once it has been collected or simultaneously with data collection. More specific methodologies, such as ways to structure the analysis of your data, include the following:

Coding. Reviews transcripts of interview data and assigns specific labels and categories to the data. A common social science method.

Cost/benefit analysis. Determines how much something will cost versus what measurable benefits it will create.

Life-cycle analysis. Determines overall sustainability of a product or process, from manufacturing, through lifetime use, to disposal. You can also perform comparative life-cycle analyses or specific life cycle stage analysis.

Comparative analysis. Compares two or more options to determine which is the “best” solution given specific problem criteria such as goals, objectives, and constraints.

Process analysis. Studies each aspect of a process to determine if all parts and steps work efficiently together to create the desired outcome.

Sustainability analysis. Uses concepts such as the “triple bottom line” or “three pillars of sustainability” to analyze whether a product or process is environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable.

In all cases, the way you collect, analyze, and use data must be ethical and consistent with professional standards of honesty and integrity. Lapses in integrity may lead to poor quality reports not only in an academic context (poor grades and academic dishonesty penalties) but also in the workplace. These lapses can lead to lawsuits, job loss, and even criminal charges. Some examples of these lapses include

• Fabricating your own data (making it up to suit your purpose)
• Ignoring data that disproves or contradicts your ideas
• Misrepresenting someone else’s data or ideas
• Using data or ideas from another source without acknowledgment or citation of the source.

Writing Tip: Failing to cite quoted, paraphrased, or summarized sources properly is one of the most common lapses in academic integrity, which is why your previous academic writing classes spent considerable time and effort to give you a sophisticated understanding of how and why to avoid plagiarizing, as well as the consequences of doing so.

This text was derived from

Last, Suzan, with contributors Candice Neveu and Monika Smith. Technical Writing Essentials: Introduction to Professional Communications in Technical Fields. Victoria, BC: University of Victoria, 2019. https://pressbooks.bccampus.ca/technicalwriting/ . Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

• Carter McNamara, “General Guidelines for Conducting Interviews,” Free Management Library, 2009. https://managementhelp.org/businessresearch/interviews.htm ↵

Techniques of collecting, sorting, and analyzing information.

Numerically-based data used to measure, make comparisons, examine relationships, and test hypotheses.

Word-based data that is used to describe data collected.

Type of research that combines quantitative and qualitative research methods.

Howdy or Hello? Technical and Professional Communication Copyright © 2022 by Suzan Last; Nicole Hagstrom-Schmidt; and Matt McKinney is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

2.3.8 Research Method

Cover Page      Executive Summary      Table of Contents      Background      Problem/ Opportunity      Research Objectives

Action Standard      Research Method      Research Results      Managerial Implications      Appendices      Acknowledge Sources

• the source and type of data ;
• how, where, when, and from whom it was collected ; and
• how it was analyzed or adapted to answer the questions.

These descriptions should be concise explanations of the outcome of the m ethods rather than step-by-step descriptions of the processes .

For example, it is better to say “a survey was mailed to all residents of …” rather than “a list of residents was provided by the client and a survey was developed … reviewed by the client, …”

Headings and subheadings may be particularly important in organizing this section. So are definitions and detailed descriptions. For example, you may describe your study as a survey of home owners living in the Buckhead area. This requires you to define or describe:

• Buckhead and homeowners;
• how homeowners were identified and contacted;
• how and when a survey was distributed; what incentives, if any, were offered;
• what the response rate was; what the resulting sample was; and
• how it compared to known characteristics of the entire population of Buckhead home owners.

The Methods section is the section in which people often use technical terms when simple descriptions will work. Terms like random or systematic stratified sample have very specific meanings. You, as the writer, must be sure you are using any term correctly. Even better, translate the process into plain English descriptions.

Data sources and variables are often described as though every reader is familiar with them. Often they are not.

If you are using a customer database to address the questions, assume that no reader has actually worked with the data. Hence, you would avoid the use of cryptic variable names and would not assume that readers know the source or meaning of the data. A common term like annual revenue could be the total dollars sold to or collected from the customer. It could also refer to the annual sales of the customer. This number might be as reported in annual reports or estimated by your company from other sources.

If there are several stages of analysis or the analysis is complex, the Methods section may include an overview with specific details, such as formulas or transformations, described just prior to those Results .

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Technical Writing. A Guide for EffectiveCommunication

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What are the Characteristics of Effective Technical Writing

Author by : dr.damodar rai.

• HR Operations , Learning & Development , Technical Writing

“Effective technical writing” is very significant aspect in modern day world, as it helps the researcher to disseminate knowledge. Also, it may help in taking decision.

This is also important in the field of HR. This is because they deal with such documents for multi-faceted aspects related to their organization.

Let us first understand what do we mean by technical writing.

Wikipedia defines the technical writing as a writing or drafting technical communication used in technical and occupational fields. These fields may be computer hardware and software, engineering, chemistry, aeronautics, robotics, metallurgy, and biotechnology. Wikipedia includes finance, medical, consumer electronics and forestry also in this category.

In modern day, technical writing encompasses all documents of complex technical processes. These may be

• Executive summary
• Research papers

We should remember that any information conveyed in any way in technical field is technical writing. A technical writer  may also write technical documents like the following –

• Medical Studies
• Feasibility Studies
• Technical Reports
• Technical Plans

Difference between technical and creative writing

Before we elucidate the characteristics of effective technical writing, let us understand how technical writing is different from other forms of writing like creative writing, business writing and or fiction writing.

Technical writing is done in a scientific style. It is characterized by simple statement of truths, which don’t change with time. However, creative writing may not be based on truth.

We should bear it in mind that scientific writing of different researchers are much more similar in style than the poems written by different poets. However, technical authors may have individuality as well as their writing habits.

Another difference between technical and creative writing is that the former is used to convey a set of information, related to a specific technical field.

We do it in a formal manner based on technical facts. Creative novels or poems or stories may be based on imagination and emotions of the writer. These may not be necessarily true.

There is no place of emotions in technical writing. Creative writing is mainly for entertaining. When we read novels or stories, we simply enjoy them.

On the other hand, technical writing is done with a view to convey information, so that an action is initiated by the reader. They may get a new direction in their on-going research work, also by this.

Commercially, they may decide to purchase the new idea or product, based on technical writing.

A technical writer would be someone who writes documentation for software applications. They usually work closely with developers, product managers, and other business users. They may also write articles about technology topics for websites.

Further, technical writing is always objective, while the creative writing is subjective.

The writing process for technical manuals should include the importance of effective technical writing.

Technical writing plays an important role in ensuring that the team members communicate effectively. It helps them to write clear and concise documents which are useful for both internal and external readers. In the modern business environment, the success of any project depends largely upon how effectively the team communicates. Therefore, it becomes essential to make sure that the team members write effective technical documents.

Technical writers play a vital role in helping teams meet deadlines and deliver high-quality products.

A technical manual should be written in such a way that it is easy to understand, yet detailed enough to help users solve any issues they may encounter. When writing a manual, it is important to keep in mind that users don’t always know what they need to do, so you must write instructions that are specific and clear. 

What questions should be asked before writing effective technical report

Photographer: bruce mars | Source: Unsplash

Are you preparing a written presentation in the form of a report / paper or brochure. In that case, you should ask 3 questions to yourself, as given below. A clear cut, answer to these questions will determine how the technical report will be written.

• Why am I going to write? (purpose)
• For whom am I going to write? (audience)
• What am I going to write? (content)

The purposes of technical writing is to inform, persuade, help in taking decision and disseminate information for advancement of knowledge in a research field. If the advancement of knowledge is the prime purpose, a research paper should be written. Researchers may write Ph.D Thesis”, after intense literature review and the investigation, analysis and or experiments done by them.

Similarly, a brochure may be written to publicize a product. Feasibility studies may be written to ascertain if a technical plan is implementable.

The second most important aspect in technical writing is the audience for whom you are preparing a technical report. The audience may be a specific person, or group of people or an organization. It is commonly believed that the audience is intelligent, but don’t know much about the topic. Hence, the technical writing must take into cognizance, their concerns, background and attitude.

The answer to the third question, “ what am I going to write?” will decide the content. The content should always be written keeping in view the purpose and audience.

Characteristics of an effective technical writing

Effective technical writing must have the following distinct characteristics.

1. Clear and capable of being understood easily

The writer should say exactly what he means, and should say this so clearly that they may not be misunderstood.

A technical report must be clearly understandable by the expected readers or audience. The use of adequate vocabulary, along with prevalent technical terms of the field should be used. An appropriate syntax and style of writing may help in increasing the clarity.

2.Well organized and structured

The technical report must be well organized and structured. If the author is not able to organize his material properly and in logical sequence, it may lead to total confusion and lack of clarity.

3.Use of prevalent technical terms in the field

Technical terms which are being used in the field should be preferred to be used in technical writing

If the technical report is intended for readers not acquainted with the specialized words, then the technical terms should be explained in a foot note.

The writer should never assume that the audience knows everything.

4.Use of an appropriate language

The language of the technical report should be direct and straight to the point.

The difficult word, cliches or jargon must be avoided. Grammar, punctuation and syntax should be proper, and adequately taken care.

The perfect example of a technical report is a text book. All the relevant information up to a particular level is provided in text books. A text book intended for graduate level may be entirely different from the one, designed for research purposes. A research purpose book may contain the total review of scientific work done in that field. Such advanced-knowledge text books may help in exploring the new frontiers of technology.

However, If the technical writing is for a brochure to promote a product, it should be brief and precise. At the same time, it must not miss necessary information. In such cases precision and brevity are important.

5.Action oriented

The basic purposes of the effective technical writing is to convey what are the net findings of the investigation or research or analysis carried out in the present case. Also, how these net findings were arrived at and how to use them.

6.True and based on actual facts

Technical writing must always be based on truth and truth alone. Whatever be the situation, a technical report should never resort to the falsehood .

7. It must serve the purpose for which it is written

Effective technical report must serve the interest or purpose of the audience, for whom it is written.  

Technical writing is a type of writing where the writer uses specific language to explain a particular topic. This kind of writing is used for technical documents such as manuals, instructions, and tutorials. A Technical writer uses specialized terminology and complex sentence structures to communicate ideas effectively. A Documentation writer makes sure that every document has been prepared correctly before submitting it. They write documentation for various reasons.

It is important to understand the form of writing required for each document. For instance, if you need to write a manual, it will require you to use simple sentences, short paragraphs, and bullet points. You also have to make sure that you include all the details about your product. The best way to do this is by using diagrams and images, because they can show you exactly what you want to say.

understanding the intended audience will help you determine the most suitable style for your document. When writing, remember that there is no right or wrong way to do things; however, certain conventions are followed when communicating with others. These conventions are called standard English. Standard English is the set of rules and conventions that people follow when speaking and writing.

A good writer should know how to write clearly and concisely. There is a difference between clear writing and concise writing.

• The writing style can be classified into two types – formal and informal. Formal writing is characterized by using correct grammar and good vocabulary. Informal writing is characterized by poor grammar, incorrect usage of words, and bad spelling.
• There are four main styles of writing – expository, persuasive, narrative, and descriptive. Expository writing is used when you want to give details about something. Incase of a Technical content , it is used to inform people about the products features. Persuasive writing is used to persuade someone to do something. Narrative writing is used to tell a story. Descriptive writing is used to describe things.
• There are three parts of technical writing – introduction, body and conclusion. Introduction is the first part of any technical document. Here, the author tells the reader about the subject matter and its importance. Technical documentation writers need to have a thorough knowledge of their subject area because they will be required to provide clear explanations of concepts and procedures. Technical writers also need to understand how to make information easy to read and understand.
• Technical writing includes both academic and non-academic writing. Academic writing is used in colleges and universities. Non-academic writing is used in other places like government agencies, business firms etc.
• Technical writing is usually divided into two categories: informative and instructional. It is important to make sure that the table of contents.

For instance, they might need to provide a user manual for their software application. Or, they might have to create a detailed instruction manual for a hardware device. Regardless of why you’re creating documentation, there are certain things you can do to make your job easier.   

Technical writing examples include :

• Instructional materials
• User manuals
• Instructions
• Presentations

HR Operations is one of the key functions for the company. The main goal of HR Operations is to ensure that all human resources processes work well and efficiently. There are several types of HR Operations such as payroll processing, benefits administration, employee records management, compensation management, performance management, recruitment, training, etc.

Training design and development is a process of planning the learning experience for learners. The purpose of designing training is to increase learner engagement and retention. Designing training is also about making it easy for learners to understand what they need to learn.

 Training and development in HRM operations encourages staff development. There are many companies who have been using various techniques to train their employees. However, there are some companies who have adopted more efficient methods to improve the productivity of their workforce.

Here we will discuss some of the most popular techniques being used by the companies to provide better education to their employees. These techniques can be broadly classified into two categories:

• Online Training:

Online training has become very popular among the organizations due to its flexibility and convenience. Most of the online learning platforms offer 24/7 access to the learners. They also allow the users to complete the course according to their own schedule. Moreover, they allow learners to take part in discussion forums along with other learners.

• Offline Training:

Offline training is another technique that has gained popularity among the employers. Offline training allows the employer to conduct the courses at his office premises. This method helps the organization to reach the maximum number of people without having any additional costs involved.

Operational functions of HRM 

HRM is responsible for managing human resources. This includes hiring new employees, firing employees, setting salary levels, and other employee related activities.

Operational functions of HRM operations include:

• Payroll Processing
• Benefits Administration
• Employee Records Management
• Compensation Management
• Performance Management
• Recruitment
• Training & Development

Human Resource Management Operations is an important function in any organization. Human resource management has become increasingly crucial in today’s world. A large number of companies are now focusing on the quality and quantity of human capital.

Technical writing is a skill that requires specialized knowledge and skills. It involves using a particular set of techniques to write effectively, which can be used by anyone who wants to communicate with others about technical topics. The following characteristics define effective technical writing, writing skills must involve :

• It must be clear
• It must be concise
• It must be accurate
• It must be written in an appropriate style
• It must be structured well

The first step in writing a technical document is to understand what it’s supposed to do. This might seem like common sense, but many people don’t think about this until they begin the writing process . They start out with a general idea or concept and then try to figure out how to turn it into something specific. This can lead to lots of rewrites as you go along.

Once you know what your document will accomplish, you need to decide on a format. Communication skills are improvised as well . A technical writer might write a document describing the features of a car model, but also provide instructions on how to buy the car online.

Technical writing skills would include :

• Understanding the audience
• Writing for clarity
• Using good grammar and punctuation
• Being consistent
• Having a logical flow
• Making sure all information is correct
• Including enough detail so readers won’t have to look up anything
• Being organized
• Following the standards of whatever organization you work for
• Knowing when to use tables and figures
• Knowing when not to use them

 Technical writing process has evolved over time . In the past, technical writers were often hired for their ability to translate ideas from one language to another. Today, however, most technical writers are employed to write documents that explain products and services. As such, they focus more on communicating product features and benefits than translating concepts.

To make matters even more complicated, today’s technology makes it possible for companies to produce multiple versions of their products. For example, a company may sell different models of its cars.  

What are the 4 general characteristics of technical writing ?

The following is a list of four general characteristics that I have found to be effective in technical writing. They are not all-inclusive, but they cover most of what you need to know about technical writing.

• Be Clear and Concise: The first characteristic of effective technical writing is being clear and concise. This means that you should use simple language and avoid using too many words. You should also make sure that the information you provide is accurate. If you don’t do this, then people will think that you don’t care about accuracy or that you’re just trying to cut costs by providing inaccurate information.
• Use Short Sentences: Another characteristic of effective technical writing involves using short sentences. A sentence should contain only one idea. It’s okay if there are multiple ideas within a sentence as long as each idea is clearly defined. For example, it would be incorrect to say “We can’t afford to buy new equipment.” Instead, you should write something like “We cannot afford to purchase new equipment.”
• Use Active Voice: The third characteristic of effective technical writing includes using active voice. When using active voice, you should state an action rather than a noun. For example, instead of saying “I bought a car,” you should say “I purchased a car.”
• Write for Your Audience: The final characteristic of effective technical writing requires you to write for your audience. This means that you must consider who will read your content before you start writing. Who will read your content depends on how much time you want to spend writing. If you want to save time, then you should probably write for yourself.

What is effective technical writing?

Effective technical writing is writing that meets the needs of its intended audience. In other words, it provides information that helps readers understand a topic. Here are some examples of good technical writing:

Technical documentation – written documents used to explain how something works. Examples include user manuals, help files, installation guides, etc.

Business reports – written documents used to summarize financial data .

Instructions – written instructions used to guide users through tasks (e.g., software installation).

How does effective technical writing differ from bad technical writing?

There are two main differences between good technical writing and bad technical writing. First, good technical writers focus on their audience. Second, good technical writers write with clarity and conciseness. Bad technical writers often fail to meet these criteria.

Why is good technical writing important?

Good technical writing is important because it helps people solve problems.

what is the purpose of technical writing?

The purpose of technical writing is to communicate complex concepts in a way that allows others to understand them easily. Technical writing is especially useful when communicating information that is difficult to understand without additional context. For example, suppose that you have been assigned to create a training manual for a new product. You could simply describe what the product does, but doing so might not allow people to fully grasp all of the details.

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Dr.Damodar Rai

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