Re: Gauging Competency in Technical Writers

[Toni Rizzo <Toni -dot- Rizzo -at- M -dot- CC -dot- UTAH -dot- EDU>]

Mike,

Although the American Medical Writers Association has discussed the issue
of testing, they don't offer a test at this time. AMWA does offer courses
one can complete to earn a Core Curriculum Certificate and an Advanced
Curriculum Certificate. The courses are excellent and require a fair
amount of work, but don't require passing tests. Now, the Council of
Biology Editors has a test for editors in the Life sciences. If you pass,
you can add the initials ELS after  your name. I guess STC is discussing
the issue of testing, but it seems to me it would be pretty hard to test
writing ability in such a diverse group of people. I like AMWA's
approach, myself.

Toni
toni -dot- rizzo -at- m -dot- cc -dot- utah -dot- edu

On Sat, 4 Mar 1995, Robert Plamondon wrote:

> Mike Uhl writes:

> >I repeat what I said before: STC, or some other credible
> >organization, should administer voluntary, standardized
> >testing for the various areas of technical writing
> >skills. The American Medical Writers Assocation offers
> >such courses and exams. This approach would give
> >companies reassurance without the liability.

> What would these tests reveal?  All I use testing for is to reveal
> whether or not you are familiar with certain basic concepts I
> require in a writer with prior experience.  In a standardized test,
> there would instantly be a study guide that clued people into the
> right answers, while leaving them unfamiliar with the concepts.

>         -- Robert