ENGL 203 (CRN 64885): Professional Writing Research

Location: Heavilon 227

Time: MWF 1:30p-2:20p
Instructor: Cody Reimer
Email: reimerc@purdue.edu
Office Hours: MW 12:30p-1:30p & by appt.
Office: HEAV 303E

Overview
This course serves as an introduction to the methods and methodologies used in professional and
technical communication. As such, you will learn to read studies in the discipline as well as design and
conduct research studies within the realm of Professional and Technical Writing. Research methods and
their methodologies allow us to answer questions, solve problems, and investigate phenomena in a
variety of ways; however, not all methods are appropriate for all questions, problems, or investigations.
As such, you will learn how do decide which methods correspond to certain questions and which
methods will garner the kinds of data you need to investigate a variety of situations. Additionally, you
will learn to craft data into a cogent argument, supporting claims with the data youve collected.

Required Text
Teddlie, Charles and Abbas Tashakkori. Foundations of Mixed Methods Research. Sage Publications,
2009. ISBN: 978-0-7619-3012-9
Additional readings made available through Blackboard or Dropbox

Grading
There are 1000 points available in the course. The course uses flat grading (no shaded grades). Rubrics
explaining the grading for each unit will be made available when the unit begins.

A range >900 points Unit 1 (Backgrounder): 250 points
B range 899-800 points Unit 2 (Research Methods): 250 points
C range 799-700 points Unit 3 (Data Analysis): 250 points
D range 699-600 points Presentations: 150 points (75 each)
F range <599 points Professional Ethos: 100 points

Unit 1Backgrounder
You are tasked with researching and writing a genre of report called a backgrounder, which, as its name
implies, presents the background information on a particular topic. This report is primarily informative,
aggregating and parsing and synthesizing primary and secondary data to establish an understanding of
an area of study. You must craft the backgrounder towards a specific purpose, seeking to find a gap
which your own research can hope to fill.

Unit 2Research Methods
Using your work in Unit 1, you will develop a focused question about the area of your study which has
gone unanswered. Unit 2 tasks you with taking that question and devising an appropriate study, guided
by our readings on empirical research and methods, and carrying it out so as to gather primary research
data.

Unit 3Data Analysis
With your data collected, Unit 3 tasks you with making sense of it. Using what we have learned
throughout the semester, you will analyze your data and articulate it for those researchers you engaged
with in Unit 1. With some luck, you will have something valuable to contribute to the chosen
discussion.
Presentations
Twice during the semester, you will deliver a formal presentation on your current research. You will
have 15 minutes to explain your work and make connections to the course's content. Days where you
are not presenting you will be expected to ask pertinent and informed questions.

Late Work
Work needs to be turned in by its deadline. Without prior approval, I do not accept late work. If a
problem arises that you foresee preventing your ability to turn in your work on time, let me know as
soon as possible so we can work something out. Project management is vital to ensure potential
problems are resolved in a timely manner.

Attendance
Much of what we will learn this semester will occur in class through activities and discussion. As such,
attendance is vital and I expect you to attend every class. However, I also understand that things happen
which can make perfect attendance difficult, so I allow two grace absences. After three absences, your
grade will begin to suffer: for each absence beyond three, you will lose 10 points from your grade for
the course.

Tardiness
Some of you may have classes across campus prior to our meetings, and having only ten minutes to get
between classes can be difficult, especially if your previous class runs late. If you find yourself in such
a position, please come see me. If you are habitually or extremely late, I reserve the right to count you
absent.

Academic Integrity
Purdue students and their instructors are expected to adhere to guidelines set forth by the Dean of
Students in "Academic Integrity: A Guide for Students," which students are encouraged to read here:
http://www.purdue.edu/odos/osrr/academicintegritybrochure.php

The preamble of this guide states the following: "Purdue University values intellectual integrity and the
highest standards of academic conduct. To be prepared to meet societal needs as leaders and role
models, students must be educated in an ethical learning environment that promotes a high standard of
honor in scholastic work. Academic dishonesty undermines institutional integrity and threatens the
academic fabric of Purdue University. Dishonesty is not an acceptable avenue to success. It diminishes
the quality of a Purdue education, which is valued because of Purdue's high academic standards."

Academic dishonesty is defined as follows: "Purdue prohibits "dishonesty in connection with any
University activity. Cheating, plagiarism, or knowingly furnishing false information to the University
are examples of dishonesty." [University Regulations, Part V, Section III, B, 2, a] Furthermore, the
University Senate has stipulated that "the commitment of acts of cheating, lying, and deceit in any of
their diverse forms (such as the use of substitutes for taking examinations, the use of illegal cribs,
plagiarism, and copying during examinations) is dishonest and must not be tolerated. Moreover,
knowingly to aid and abet, directly or indirectly, other parties in committing dishonest acts is in itself
dishonest." [University Senate Document 72-18, December 15, 1972]

If you have any questions about this policy, please ask.

In Case of a Campus Emergency
In the event of a major campus emergency, course requirements, deadlines and grading percentages are
subject to changes that may be necessitated by a revised semester calendar or other circumstances. You
can acquire updated information from the course website, by emailing me, or by contacting me through
the English Department at 765.494.3740.