System Mapping: A Genre Field Analysis of the National Science Foundation's Grant Proposal an Funding Process

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TitleSystem Mapping: A Genre Field Analysis of the National Science Foundation's Grant Proposal an Funding Process
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2010
AuthorsMoeller, Ryan M., and David M. Christensen
JournalTechnical Communication Quarterly
Volume19
Issue1
Pagination69–89
Keywordsgenre, genre field analysis, genre system, proposal
Abstract

In this article we compare two different perspectives on the National Science Foundation(NSF) grant proposal and funding process: that depicted by the genre-dominantNSF Web site and that articulated by several successful NSF-funded researchers.Using genre theory and play theory to map the respective processes, we foundthat a systems-based refocusing of audience analysis—namely, genre field analysis—allows researchers a more accurate understanding of their roles as agents withinthe system.