Journal of Business and Technical Communication Sep 2026

Augmenting Technical Editors: A Quasi-Experimental Study of AI-Assisted Copyediting

Kim Sydow Campbell University of North Texas ; Ryan K. Boettger University of North Texas ; Chris Lam University of North Texas

Abstract

Technical editing research has examined the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, yet empirical studies on their effectiveness remain limited. This quasi-experimental study investigates whether an AI-assisted tool improves copyediting performance and explores editor perceptions. The study compared 33 students’ editing performance with and without AI assistance. The results showed that an AI tool provided selective benefits, failing to raise overall correction rates but improving detection of AI-flagged errors. Perceptions varied by skill level, with stronger editors finding AI to be more distracting than helpful. The authors consider the teaching implications of this study and suggest that future research should test the effectiveness of various AI tools across different technical content types.

Journal
Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Published
2026-09-18
DOI
10.1177/10506519261485218
CompPile
Open Access
Closed
Topics
Export
BibTeX RIS

Citation context

Cited by in this index (0)

No articles in this index cite this work.

References (41) · 9 in this index

  1. 10.4324/9781351132756-6
     ↗
  2. Beason (2001)
    Ethos and Error: How Business People React to Errors
    College Composition and Communication
  3. Beverley P. (2024)
    Macros for editors
  4. Boettger R. K. (2014)
    The technical communication editing test: Three studies on this assessment type
    Technical Communication
  5. 10.4324/9781351132756-3
     ↗
Show all 41 →
  1. Boettger et al. (2018)
    Analyzing Error Perception and Recognition Among Professional Communication Pra…
    Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
  2. Campbell et al. (2017)
    Plain-Style Preferences of US Professionals
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  3. 10.1177/23294884211025735
     ↗
  4. Card D. Duin A. H. (2023 March). Generative AI: Productive paths forward. Intercom. https://www.stc.org/inter…
  5. Cardon et al. (2023)
    The Challenges and Opportunities of AI-Assisted Writing: Developing AI Literacy…
    Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
  6. Carradini (2024)
    On the Current Moment in AI: Introduction to Special Issue on Effects of Artifi…
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  7. Cherry L. L. Vesterman W. V. (1981). Writing tools: The “Style” and “Diction” programs (91; Computing Science…
  8. Chicago Manual. (2015 August 18). Jack Lyon talks about better word processing. CMOS Shop Talk. https://cmoss…
  9. Darics E. Koller V. De Clerk B. (2023). Language awareness in the age of AI [Broadcast]. Words & Actions Podc…
  10. 10.37514/TPC-B.2023.1923.2.11
     ↗
  11. Editors Association of Canada. (2024). Professional editorial standards: Knowledge skills and practices most …
  12. 10.4324/9781351132756-2
     ↗
  13. 10.4324/9781351132756
     ↗
  14. 10.11120/plan.2010.00230040
     ↗
  15. Hart G. J. (2000 January). Effective onscreen editing: Part one of a four-part series. Corrigo: Newsletter of…
  16. Hart G. J. (2019)
    Effective onscreen editing: New tools for an old profession
  17. 10.4324/9781315518497-24
     ↗
  18. Haswell R. (2005). Automated text-checkers: A chronology and a bibliography of commentary. Computers and Comp…
  19. Intelligent Editing. (2021 August 10). The Chicago Manual of Style is now in PerfectIt proofreading software.…
  20. Jacob S. (2023 August 25). ProWritingAid readability review. Originality.Ai. https://originality.ai/blog/prow…
  21. Johnson-Eilola et al. (2024)
    Can Artificial Intelligence Robots Write Effective Instructions?
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  22. 10.1016/j.chb.2017.02.022
     ↗
  23. Kreth et al. (2017)
    A Descriptive Survey of Technical Editors
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  24. Lacroix F. (2023 November). What can AI do for you today? How GenAi is transforming the tech doc world. Tcwor…
  25. Lang S. (2017)
    Reconceiving technical editing competencies for the 21st century: Employer needs with cur…
    Technical Communication
  26. Lanier C R (2004)
    Electronic editing and the author
    Technical Communication
  27. 10.4324/9781351132756-7
     ↗
  28. Mallette (2024)
    Preparing Future Technical Editors for an Artificial Intelligence-Enabled Workplace
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  29. 10.4324/9781351132756-9
     ↗
  30. 10.1080/21670811.2016.1209083
     ↗
  31. Montgomerie A. (n.d.). Editor vs AI: NYT copy edit. Right Angels and Polo Bears: Adventures in Editing. https…
  32. Pratt E. (2022 December 5). What will ChatGPT mean for the future of technical communication? Cherryleaf Blog.
  33. Riley K. (2015)
    Revising professional writing in science and technology, business, and the social sciences
  34. Rodríguez Vázquez S. & Lehmann S. (2015 May 18). Acrolinx: A controlled-language checker turned into an acces…
     ↗
  35. Schreiber (2024)
    What Is Technical About Technical Editing?
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  36. Van Buren R. Buhler M. F. (1976). Levels of Edit. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19760015018/downloads/1…
CrossRef global citation count: 0 View in citation network → Build reading path →

Related articles

  1. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly Sep 2026
    Instructional Control for AI-Assisted Learning: Custom AI Tools for Genre-Based Writing ↗
    Junhua Wang
    genre theory writing pedagogy teacher development professional writing artificial intelligence
  2. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication Sep 2026
    Technology and Language Learning: Effective Podcasting and Video-Based Language Teaching Practices in the Age of Generative AI: Eric Friginal and Wing Yee Jenifer Ho: [Book Review] ↗
    Yanjuan Huo
    teacher development artificial intelligence multilingual writers book reviews
  3. Computers and Composition Jun 2026
    “Article laundry” or “tutor in pocket?”: Multilingual writers’ generative AI-assisted writing in professional settings ↗
    Qianqian Zhang-Wu
    writing pedagogy teacher development professional writing qualitative research digital rhetoric artificial intelligence multilingual writers
  4. Journal of Response to Writing Apr 2026
    Examining Automated Writing Evaluation Error Coverage in Relation to Uptake and Retention ↗
    Mehrzad, Mohaddeseh; Rahimi, Mohammad; Link, Stephanie
    genre theory writing pedagogy teacher development revision assessment artificial intelligence multilingual writers grammar and mechanics
  5. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly Apr 2026
    Selections From the ABC 2025 Annual International Conference, Long Beach, California, USA: Classroom Activities for Teaching Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Social Media Skills in the Business Communication Classroom ↗
    Andrew Cavanaugh; D. Joel Whalen
    teacher development professional writing social media artificial intelligence