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Aren't "why are tech writers need" discussions with some co-workers fun?
First, your co-worker made a serious false assumption. "My co-worker
expressed that most R&D
scientists can write good procedures themselves, because they had to have
been able to write a good thesis for their masters or what have you."
NOT SO! Not every Master's program requires a thesis. Some allow internships
or master's projects instead.
As I was doing my Master's in Computer Science, I had a class in
Internet/Intranet Design and Implementation. The class required several
research papers. Because of some loud complaints, the teacher asked how many
had never done a prior research paper. I was absolutely floored when 5
people raised their hands. When the teacher asked how they had gotten their
BA/BS without doing any papers, the students replied, "Very carefully." They
carefully chose technical courses that didn't have papers. While that course
did require several papers, the university where I got my degree did allow
master's projects instead of the theisis.
Obviously it is possible to get a degree without writing papers.
Another false assumption that your co-worker made is that the R&D procedures
are meaningful to the end user. The tech writers maxim is "remember the
target audience." R&D do the procedures from their viewpoint, not
necessarily what the end user needs.
Diane
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