My research question is: How is writing a necessary part of a job in the science-based career of speech-language pathology? I want to know how writing is incorporated into the career of a speech-language pathologist, as this job is considered to be scientific yet creative. I wish to know how writing is important to a job that is not strictly related to English studies. Speech pathology does have to deal with language, which interests me as it is about the vocalization of language rather than the physical writing of words. However, writing is still prevalent in activities related to the job. Writing is necessary to excel economically in this industry. I am interested in how the writing in this industry, which is based in science, differs from creative writing, or whether creative writing is also a component. For the economics of this job, how is writing an important component to making money?
I need to ask a speech-language pathologist about their career by interviewing them on their qualifications. I possibly need to observe the writing process of progress reports for students. I will look at documents of the progress reports but keeping the identifies of the report subjects a secret for confidentiality reasons. My subject writes Indiana Progress Reports, or IEPs, that are records of student’s progress in speech therapy required by the state. Working in a school setting, progress reports on each child who is given speech therapy is required. Each report requires about 2,000 words of writing. I will also look at other types of writing that might be used in this job. Many speech-language pathologists have to give presentations to their colleagues. I will see if the writing used in these presentations is meant to be more eye-catching and keep peers focused on the presentation, or rather to give information like updates.
I want to ask the following questions:
- How much by state law are you required to write about each child you work with?
- Is your writing more creative or scientific?
- Who reads your reports/is the audience for your writing?
- Did you know how much writing was going to be required for your career before you went into it?
- How long does it take you to complete a progress report?
- What other types of writing are common in your job?
“Recruitment Script”
The project I am asking your help with is meant to educate myself and my peers at University of Wisconsin-Madison about the types of writing involved in various careers, depending on what industry and what job a person has. I want to interview you to ascertain responses to questions about the writing that has been used in your job. I would like to ask multiple questions having to do with your job and the demands of writing. I ask your consent to record our interview for a record documented–the interview will be used for making said essay.
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