Exploring the Needs of Technical Writing Competency in English among Polytechnic Engineering Students

Abstract

Industries demand fresh graduate to possess technical writing skills in order to be employed. Thus, technical writing competency in engineering organization cannot be underestimated. In consequence, this study attempts to explore technical writing competency needs perceived by Malaysian polytechnic engineering students in terms of knowledge, skills, and attitudes towards technical writing in English. 207 diploma students among various engineering courses of a polytechnic have responded to a survey on students’ perceived technical writing competency needs. Results of the study indicated that the students showed low moderate agreement (mean score <3.5) in their knowledge, skills and attitudes towards technical writing in English. Skills in technical writing in English revealed the lowest mean score compared to knowledge and attitudes towards technical writing in English. This implied that the students were lack in technical writing skills in English. Despite, the study has shown that students were aware of the need in technical writing competency for their future career. Therefore, this study has pointed out that it is worth to review the current needs of the polytechnic engineering students since students’ responses could become a basis for the refinement of the material used in the classroom since need analysis is a continuous process in identifying learning needs. Finally, this study has proposed technical writing course to be introduced to the polytechnic education system since the competency in technical writing is essential in job industries including within engineering professions.

Authors and Affiliations

Isnin S. F.

Keywords

Related Articles

Validity and Reliability of Students’ Science and Technology Culture Instrument (BST-M) using Rasch Measurement Model

Students’ Science and Technology Culture Instrument (Budaya Sains dan Teknologi Murid, BST-M) was developed to measure the level of Science and Technology Culture among the students. A total of 800 Form Two students from...

The Effect of Organizational Resources on Organizational Competitive Advantage of the Banking Sector in Kenya

Globalization has made enterprises to compete and confront each other on a global scale. It therefore forces business organizations to comprehend the relationship between the internal strengths and weaknesses of their re...

Investigating the Issue of Nurse Job Satisfaction: Role of Esprit De Corps, Task Significance, Self-Efficacy and Resilience: A Case Study

Employee job satisfaction is critical for every type and nature of organization. When it comes to health sector, it becomes more important to have satisfied workforce in order to provide quality patient care. Notable rep...

Understanding Parental Involvement Challenges from the Views of Visually Impaired Learners Parents in Pakistan

Parental involvement, as one of the most widely researched and discussed issues. It has been characterized by a variety of meanings, definitions and frameworks. Such notions and definitions provide a foundation for solvi...

Maqbul as Terminology, its Use and Meaning according to Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalani in his book Taqrib At-Tahzib

This study presents a discussion on one of the terminologies for hadis practitioners which is maqbul, its uses and prerequisites according to Al-hafiz Ibn Hajar, as well as its uses among previous hadis experts before Ib...

Download PDF file
  • EP ID EP637884
  • DOI 10.6007/IJARBSS/v7-i12/3594
  • Views 115
  • Downloads 0

How To Cite

Isnin S. F. (2017). Exploring the Needs of Technical Writing Competency in English among Polytechnic Engineering Students. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 7(12), 77-90. https://www.europub.co.uk/articles/-A-637884