Process
Monday, April 30, 2012
The Technical Research Process
Technical Research Process
One can be certain that Technical Research is important and necessary and must be considered a major factor toward moving our modern world forward. Technical Research is simply researching that which is technical. It is understanding information you need, where it is, how it is stored, how to retrieve it, and what to do with it after you find it. To clarify technical research a bit more, here is an online source:
(BusinessDictionary.com.2012) putting it another way, Technical Research is , "Applied Research oriented toward engineering disciplines (but not to a specific product or process)and aimed at developing tools and test equipment and procedures, and at providing solutions to a specific problem".
**All information and suggestions of the Technical Writing Process that follows are directly quoted or or paraphrased from Smith-Worthington, S., & Jefferson, S. (2011). Technical writing for success (3rd. ed.).
"Examples of Technical Research can be found quite often in places where we work. This fact is expressed clearly in the publication Technical writing for success (3rd. ed.)". On the job, research is usually involved in all the following situations (and more):
1. Developing a new product
2. Establishing safety procedures
3. Handling a production problem
4. Selecting employee benefits
5. Purchasing equipment or services
6. Planning an advertising campaign (Smith-Worthington & Jefferson, 2011, p.45).
How can we Technically Research a topic of interest? To approach Technical Research there are five basic steps you should do.To be more clear, the steps for the Technical Research Process are numbered but do not have to necessarily be followed in this order.
I. Technical Research Approach should be to:
A. Determine what you already know (well versed or do you need to be educated first).
B. Consider your Audience (demographics - education level, interest and age).
C. Fully understand your purpose for doing the research (basic information).
II. Develop a Strategy or Research Method for:
A. Finding and evaluating the right material and the best source. (get meaningful info).
B. Conducting the research and reading efficiently. (get precise info).
C. Carefully record the information (avoid plagiarism).
D. Document information location(s), (make it accessible for future searches).
To conduct an effective research you must understand your information sources. Are they Primary or Secondary Sources?
----Primary Sources are first hand reports,achieved when you are the eyewitness, or the originator of the event or idea.
----Secondary Sources are reports of information secondhand. Either you heard about it; read it, or learned/received the information indirectly. Also know that Secondary Sources can be found in company/Business Archives, Library Catalogs, Periodicals and General Reference Materials, which means in today's world searching via the internet. Researchers generally start with secondary sources because they often give general overviews and offer useful background information (Smith-Worthington & Jefferson, 2011, p. 46).
Be sure to Document your sources. This means, all the information used by you that is not your own idea should be dully noted in form of a citation. A citation is a written indication of the source of borrowed material. When documentation is not done, meaning cited properly, the work that is presented is considered plagiarized. Plagiarized work is considered stolen, and unethical, in the workplace and academically. In many cases, especially in the workplace, plagiarism is illegal and punishable by law. You should also list all sources at the end of your presentation or work. This list of sources is your Bibliography. The bibliography establishes your research credibility, and allows others to find your information sources and gives credit to the original authors for their previous work completed.
Evaluating Sources is an important process to any research project. Make sure your information is credible, in other words, make sure it comes from reliable sources. You can make sure they are reliable by making sure that the publication of your information is up-to-date, and that the authors have good credentials. Also insure that the methods used by the authors to reach their conclusions are not flawed.
The Technical Research Process is most effective and at its best when conducted with the correct strategies and planning. Also it will provide the reader with the information they need.By following the suggestions mentioned in this document can further enhance ones Technical Researching efforts. (Smith-Worthington & Jefferson, 2011, p. 45-72).
jdragonfly
References
BuisnessDictionary.com(2012).
Technical Research.definition.
Retrieved on April 30, 2012, from
http://www.buisnessdictionary.com/definition/technical-research.html
Please Note:
All information and suggestions offered other than technical Research definition are derived from Smith-Worthington, S., & Jefferson, S.(2011). Technical writing for success (3rd. ed.) Pages 45-72 ** (Smith-Worthington & Jefferson, 2011, p. 45-72).
Smith-Worthington, S., & Jefferson, S. (2011). Technical writing for success (3rd. ed.)mason, OH: South-Western Cengage learning.