1

Technical
Communication
&

Organizational Culture
In

Geology
February 12, 2015
English 2100
Stephanie Calacino

Abstract
The purpose of this report is to explore the technical communication and organizational
culture in the geology field that will help students write more effectively. After exploring the
types of technical communication and culture the geology field has, students can improve their
writing as well as prepare for future company cultures. To study the technical communication
and organizational culture, I followed a three step research plan which included (1) developing
research topics, (2) gathering information, (3) analyzing and comparing published reports.
Overall, my research results consisted of numerous different documents, each with a straightforward approval review and a similar writing style. Their organizational culture is laid-back
with flexible hours and gender does not affect any position or attitude in the workplace. The
technical communication in geology includes two different genres of published and unpublished
documents. With each of these there is a mandatory review process that has to be done before
publishing. The culture is employee driven and allows scientists to do their own research and
work. In conclusion, to improve and prepare oneself in the geology field a student should write
concisely and clearly, become aware of the different documents and their approval review, take
the initiative to start and finish your research and use illustrations, maps, and charts to emphasize
methods and results

Table of Contents
Introduction..3
Research Plan...3
Results and Discussion....4
Conclusion/Recommendations ...6
References....6
Appendix: Technical Writing Examples..6

Introduction
This report presents the aspects and guidelines of technical writing and culture in geology. Most,
if not all, science professions require a clear and active writing style that other fields lack. The
purpose of this report is to explore the technical communication and organizational culture in the
geology field that will help students write more effectively. Before jumping into a profession that
publishes lab reports, field worksheets, or research reports, it is important to acknowledge what
type of writing is involved and how to recreate it. After exploring the types of technical
communication and culture the geology field has, students can improve their writing as well as
prepare for future company cultures. The report includes a research plan, results of my research,
a discussion, and recommendations.

Research Plan
To study the technical communication and organizational culture, I followed a three step research
plan:
1. Develop Research Topics
2. Gather Information
3. Analyze and Compare Published Reports

1. Develop Research Topics

Before gathering any information it is important to develop categories and topics that would
adequately show the technical communication and organizational culture used in that area. To
find information emphasizing technical communication I focused on smaller parts of each:
Genres
Content
Format
Design
Style
For organizational culture, I narrowed the topics down to:
Gender
Work Environment
Positions
These criteria will form how I gather information and what resource is useful.

2. Gathering Information
For most of my research I used the internet, in particular Google and Geology related websites.
Searching with Google I used the terms geology technical writing, geology culture, and
geology writing. I also used geology related websites like Utah Geological Survey
(http://beta.geology.utah.gov/) and United States Geologic Survey (http://www.usgs.gov/) to find
samples of geology writing. When I found information relative to my criteria I bookmarked the
page and copy and pasted the URL in a blank word document.

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The information I gathered let me research more material in-depth. For example, I found a PDF
document specifically on the technical writing used in Utahs geological survey. I also found that
there are many different genres simply in one states geological survey and company review sites
that describe the work environment.
I found that using the internet is versatile and efficient, however, using simply the internet leaves
out the physical documents and books that could have also been resourceful.

3. Analyze and Compare Published Reports

After finding and bookmarking published reports, I went back through them to analyze their
format, content, and style of writing used in the geology field. Each sample was similar to each
other and reflected the information I found in my Google searches. Of the three reports that I
compared all three had similar content and formatting but also a different amount of graphics and
designs which show how the same type of report can be different.

Results and Discussion

Overall, my research results consisted of numerous documents, each with a straight-forward
approval review and a similar writing style. Their organizational culture is laid-back with
flexible hours and gender does not affect any position or attitude in the workplace. The positions
available in a geological survey do differentiate with other surveys depending on what
departments they have.

Technical Communication
The technical communication in geology includes two different genres of published and
unpublished documents. With each of these there is a mandatory review process that has to be
done before publishing. The Utah Geological Survey, for example, has their review and approval
process listed in table 1 for each document (Hylland, Lund, Ressetar, 208, p.9). They also share
similar designs and format as this report. A heading with subheadings and bullet points and
graphics to emphasize their result as Figure 1 shows.
Table 1, left, shows published
and unpublished reports
approval reviews (Hylland,
2008, p.9)

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Depending on the document, more content will be added like maps and charts that will be absent
in other documents. Figure 2, below, would be an example.
All of these documents require a concise and clear writing style. Using active verbs is
encouraged as well as the use of an outline to present a clear and concise report (Rossbacher,
1984, p.5-6). Another tip is to distinguish observations from interpretations to better illustrate
your purpose and main point (Rossbacher, 1984, p.5).
Figure 1, to the right, shows the typical
example of headings and subheadings of
geology reports (Ackerman, et al., 2015)
Figure 2, below Figure 1, also shows
additional content emphasizing results
and methods (Weary, et al., 2015)

Organizational Culture
The organizational culture in the geology field is
laid-back and employee driven with flexible
hours. The flexible hours can range from 9-5
or 7-3; the hours are set by a ten hour or
eight hour schedule. On Glassdoor, a
company review site, the reviewers
collectively agreed that it is an employee
driven culture that allows for scientists to do
their own research and work with people
who have similar interests.
Along with that gender is not an issue in
geology fields. Women are respected and in
some cases colleagues and superiors are
protective of them in field work (Kher,
2014). Men and women are treated equally and not subjected to unfair laws, loopholes, or
practices.

Conclusion with Recommendations

In conclusion, to improve and prepare oneself in the geology field a student should:

Write concisely and clearly

Become aware of the different documents and their approval review
Use illustrations, maps, and charts to emphasize methods and results
Take the initiative to start and finish their research

With these recommendations, a geology student will be more aware of the type of writing and
culture expected of them before jumping into their profession.

References
Goldcorp. (n.d.). Retrieved January 24, 2015, from
http://www.goldcorp.com/English/Careers/Opportunities/default.aspx
Hylland, D. Michael. Lund, R. William. Ressetar, Robert. (2008). GUIDE FOR THE
PREPARATION OF REPORTS FOR THE UTAH GEOLOGICAL SURVEY: THIRD
EDITION. Retrieved February 2, 2015, from http://geology.utah.gov/online/c/c-105.pdf
Kher, S. (2014, March 4). Conversation With An Ex Geological Survey Of India Geologist [Blog
post]. Retrieved January 24, 2015, from
http://suvratk.blogspot.com/2014/03/conversation-with-ex-geological-survey.html
Rossbacher, A. Lisa. Rhodes, D. Dallin. (1984, December). STYLE MANUAL FOR WRITING IN
GEOLOGY. Retrieved January 24, 2015, from
http://www.public.asu.edu/~arrows/FIELDI/Rossbacher_Rhodes_Writing_Manual.pdf
US Geological Survey Reviews. (n.d.). Retrieved January 24, 2015, from
http://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/US-Geological-Survey-Reviews-E16428.htmr

Appendix: Technical Writing Examples

Ackerman, J., Herzog, M. P., Hartman, C. A., Isanhart, J. P., Herring, G.,
Vaughn, S., . . . Vest, J. (2015). Mercury and selenium contamination in
waterbird eggs and risk to avian reproduction at Great Salt Lake, Utah.
USGS.
Matchett, E. L., Fleskes, J. P., Young, C. A., & Purkey, D. R. (2015). A framework for modeling
anthropogenic impacts on waterbird habitats: addressing future uncertainty in
conservation planning. USGS.
Weary, D. J., Harrison, W. R., Orndorff, R. C., Weems, R. E., Schindler, J. S., Repetski, J. E., &
Pierce, H. A. (2015). Bedrock geologic map of the Spring Valley, West Plains, and parts
of the Piedmont and Poplar bluff 30'x60' quadrangles, Missouri, inclduing the
upper Current River and Eleven Point River drainage basins. USGS.