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STATEMENT OF PURPOSE Is current technical writing curriculum adequately preparing graduates for their first work experience in the field? I expect the outcome to show that recent graduates going into the field of technical writing have a solid base of information, but that the field is too diverse to nail down a universal curriculum. The software demands in the working world shift too quickly to keep up. STATEMENT OF RESEARCH METHODOLOGY I will post a request to solicit participants for this study through TechWhirl and LinkedIn technical writing forums. Each participant must have graduated within five years from a technical writing program and be currently working in the technical writing field. I will then have each participant sign an informed consent form, after which I will send them the survey. Other than demographic questions, the goal of the survey is to elicit long answers detailing what part of their technical writing education prepared them for their first job in the field. In the second part of my study, I will survey business owners who employ new technical writers. I will ask them how well prepared the new hires usually are and what could be beneficial to add to the basic education in order for the graduates to better assimilate into the working world. All surveys will be anonymous, minimizing risk to all involved. ANTICIPATED RISKS AND BENEFITS The only risks would be in pointing out parts of curriculum that may be lacking. If certain universities offered more of the curriculum employers are looking for, it could prejudice them to hire most of their employees from that university. It could also affect the selection of universities by incoming technical writing students. I intend to keep all surveys confidential to avoid discovery of any personal information. SUBJECT SELECTION I hope to get 100 responses to the technical writer survey, and at least 25 from business owners. CONFIDENTIALITY Employee survey: The survey will be online and the results will be anonymous. I will not collect personal information in the survey that could trace it back to an individual. Employer survey: I will not reveal place of employment or any names in my study. I will keep the results in a locked cabinet. PRIMARY SUPPORTING DOCUMENT Click for Word Document