Empiricism Is Not a Four-Letter Word

Aesop’s Trumpeter, Aristotle’s Orator, and the Technical Communicator

“…Technical communicators have removed themselves from their rhetorical situation and have undervalued ethics as technical communication has adapted to suit objectivism, technology, and standardized methodology (Jacobi 1990;Miller 1989). Charney (2004) suggests that technical communicators gain power when they associate with empiricism since they elevate their status as professionals if they work within the sciences. Charney (2004) also notes that to move technical communication away from the sciences would "[divorce] technical communication from the source of its power" (283).…”

“…Charney (2004) suggests that technical communicators gain power when they associate with empiricism since they elevate their status as professionals if they work within the sciences. Charney (2004) also notes that to move technical communication away from the sciences would "[divorce] technical communication from the source of its power" (283). She considers objectivism the means by which communicators protect themselves from "powerful outsiders who want to steer work toward their own ends" (Charney 2004, 288).…”

A methodology for streamlining historical research: the analysis of technical and scientific publications

“…In fact, Charney [31] points out that quantitative and qualitative methodologies are most effective when viewed as complementary or even overlapping. Qualitative analysis is described by Sullivan and Spilka [27] as a complex and versatile methodology that can be implemented throughout the research process.…”

“…Quantitative studies are also compatible with alternative research methodologies. For instance, Atkinson [16] integrates rhetorical analysis with multidimensional register analysis, and Longo [32] In particular, the value of both methodologies has already been described by Charney [31] and Markel [33].…”

The mental verbs "think" and "believe" in authorial evaluative "that" statements: a corpus study of four academic disciplines

“…Still, other language theorists, such as Davida Chamey (1996), make the case for objectivity in the traditional positivistic research paradigm and accompanying research article, claiming that "the very qualities that the critics most object to in scientific work are those that afford the most productive discussion" (p. 569). Chamey continues, arguing that "by disparaging objective methods and advocating increasingly subjectivist methods, we may also be impairing our ability to improve our own work and use it to promote social justice" (p. 569).…”