Details about my research projects, publications, funding and other related accomplishments.

1. Research Portfolio
2011
Debopriyo Roy, PhD
Friday, July 22, 2011

2. DEBOPRIYO ROY, PhD
Associate Professor
Technical Communication & Usability
Director - Technical Communication Laboratory
Center for Language Research
School of Computer Science and Engineering
University of Aizu, JAPAN
Friday, July 22, 2011

3. With my Ph.D Supervisor
October 7, 2004
Debopriyo has done very well in his doctoral coursework, both in terms of satisfying typical course
requirements and in terms of his turning class assignments into original research. I would like to
concentrate on the latter because his productivity is unusual for a graduate student.
- Dr. Robert Krull (Retired Professor of Communications, Dept. of Language, Literature
and Communication, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, New York).
Friday, July 22, 2011

4. Research Focus - Document Design Practices
How do you know that your document is well-written? Is it
effective and user-friendly? Does it help with procedural
task completion?Research dealing with typography, visual
organization, layout, formatting, genre-based text
construction etc.
My selected publications on the topic
Roy, D. 2008. Designing Text-Graphics Procedural Instructions for Surgical Patient Education Modules: An Experimental Study. Technical Communication Quarterly.
Roy, D. 2010. Concept Maps for Teaching Technical Writing to Computer Science Majors. A Case Study in a Japanese Technical Institute. International Journal of
Learning. (Volume 17, Issue 1, pp.421-442).
Roy, D. July, 2010. Concept Map-Oriented Technical Writing Approach for Computer Science Majors in an EFL Context: Understanding Text Applications in an
Experimental Study. Proceedings of the IEEE Professional Communication Society Annual Conference, Netherlands.
Roy, D. July, 2010. Reading Strategies for Procedural Information in EFL Business Writing Environment: An Exploratory Analysis. Proceedings of the IEEE
Professional Communication Society Annual Conference, Netherlands.
Friday, July 22, 2011

5. Research Focus - Procedural Visuals Design Practices
How do we design technical illustrations such
that each step in the process is well-explained
and understood even without associated text?
Research dealing with intelligent graphics,
body positions, viewpoint research, sub-
assemblies, sequential layout etc.
My selected publications on the topic
Roy, D. 2008. Procedural Instructions for Surgical Patient Education Modules: Spatial Perspectives in Technical Communication. VDM Verlag Press.
Roy, D. 2007. Significance of Configuration and Subassemblies in Sequential Procedural Instructions: An Experimental Study. IEEE Transactions on
Professional Communication, 50 (2). 147-162.
Roy, D. 2006. Using Graphic Indicators to Facilitate Mechanical Reasoning in Procedural Graphics. Technical Communication. 53 (4). 1-17.
Roy, D. 2009. Designing Complex Instructional Illustrations: A Case Study with Patient Education Modules. Proceedings of the IEEE Professional
Communication Society Japan Chapter Annual Conference. Tokyo, Japan.
Roy, D. 2007. Designing an Experimental Study to Explore Spatial Representations in English Software Manuals for Non-native Speakers. Proceedings of the
IEEE IPCC, Seattle, WA.
Roy, D. 2006. Text-Graphic Instructions that Help Readers Mentally Animate Procedures: A Case Study with Surgical Patient Education Modules. Proceedings
of the IEEE IPCC, Saratoga Springs, NY.
Krull, R., Roy, D., D’Souza, S., and Morgan, M. 2003. User Perceptions and Point of View in Technical Illustrations. Proceedings of the Society for Technical
Communication, Dallas, TX, pp. 19-26.
Roy, D., & Sharp, D. M. 2003. Reader Perceptions in Sequencing Procedural Graphics of Complex Machines. Proceedings of the IEEE IPCC, Orlando, FL,
pp. 230-238.
Krull, R., Sharp, D, M., & Roy, D. 2003. Canonical Views in Procedural Graphics. Proceedings of the IEEE IPCC, Orlando, FL, pp. 22-28.
Friday, July 22, 2011

6. Research Focus - Usability Testing Processes
Usability testing of documents to explore user's
navigational patterns, types of errors, time
spent, feelings, eye movement, think-aloud etc.
Research focusing on how readers think
through a process, layout, the cognitive load
related to specific online tasks etc.
My selected publications on the topic
Roy, D. March 2011. An Argument on the Use of Eye Tracking and Think-aloud Protocols as Mutual Support Systems for Usability Testing. Proceedings of the
International Technology, Education and Development Conference. Valencia, Spain.
Cortez, P, Roy, D and Vazhenin. A. (2011). Mobile Assisted Language Acquisition. An Overview of the Field and Future Opportunities Based on 3G Mobile
Capabilities. Paper presented at the 1st ACM Chapter Conference on E-learning and Technical Documentation. Aizuwakamatsu, Japan ( Proceedings of the
International Transactions on Elearning and Usability, 2011).
Roy, D. 2007. Designing an Experimental Study to Explore Spatial Representations in English Software Manuals for Non-native Speakers. Proceedings of the
IEEE IPCC, Seattle, WA.
Friday, July 22, 2011

7. Research Focus - Statistical Analysis of Web Interactions
Types of statistical analysis to explain how the user interacts
with a program, time spent, navigation patterns, number of
clicks etc? Research focusing on various kinds of
experimental design, extensive data collection, data entry and
subsequent analysis (parametric and non-parametric) using
SPSS and Morae usability testing software.
My selected publications on the topic
Roy, D. March 2009. Exploring the Usability of Collaborative Interfaces and Users’ Preference in
Combining Resources for Technical Document Production. Proceedings of the International
Technology, Education and Development Conference.Valencia, Spain.
Roy, D & Brine, J. (2008). Structured Authoring of Technical Documents through Systematic
Collaboration in Using Open-Source Technologies. Proceedings of the 7TH IASTED International
Conference on Web-based Education, Innsbruck, Austria.
Morae Usability Testing Software
Friday, July 22, 2011

8. Research Focus - Cognitive and Behavioral Framework
Research explaining how readers logically and sequentially
think about an online interaction/task, and behavioral
outcomes during such interactions. The focus is on the study
of different mental models.
My selected publications on the topic
Roy, D. 2006. Using Graphic Indicators to Facilitate Mechanical Reasoning in Procedural Graphics. Technical Communication. 53 (4). 1-17.
Roy, D. 2006. Text-Graphic Instructions that Help Readers Mentally Animate Procedures: A Case Study with Surgical Patient Education
Modules. Proceedings of the IEEE IPCC, Saratoga Springs, NY.
Roy, D. 2004. A Self-Paced Approach to Hypermedia Design for Patient Education. Proceedings of ACM SIGDOC Annual Conference,
Memphis, TN, pp. 27-32.
Friday, July 22, 2011

9. Research Focus - Online Collaboration and Interface
Design
How do users handle multiple open-source collaborative tools
for document production? How do they coordinate document
production and editing responsibilities? How do they handle
the different interfaces? What do they expect the interface to
do?
My selected publications on the topic
Roy, D. March 2009. Exploring the Usability of Collaborative Interfaces and Users’ Preference in Combining Resources for Technical Document
Production. Proceedings of the International Technology, Education and Development Conference. Valencia, Spain.
Roy, D. and Brine, J. March 2009. Intelligent Graphics and Media Richness: Redefining Text as a Medium. Proceedings of the International
Technology, Education and Development Conference. Valencia, Spain.
Roy, D. March 2011. A Discussion of the Pedagogical Issues in Designing Collaborative Systems in EFL-based Business and Technical Writing
Courses. Proceedings of the International Technology, Education and Development Conference. Valencia, Spain.
Friday, July 22, 2011

10. Research Focus - Technical Writing Market in India
Is the Market in India prepared enough to handle
technical communication projects? With the
recent surge in IT business and education, but
with the British literary tradition still in place, how
is India coping with the new business and
technical English as is needed for instructional
writing?
My selected publications on the topic
Roy, D. 2010. India as an Outsourcing Destination for Technical Writing Projects: The Dynamics of Language, Culture, Education and Business.
International Journal of Arts and Sciences, Vol. 3, No. 11, pp. 317-337.
Roy, D. June 2009. Off-shoring Technical Writing Projects to India: Studying the Potential in an Emerging Market. Proceedings of the International
Journal of Arts and Sciences Conference,. Bad Hofgastein, Austria.
Friday, July 22, 2011

11. Research Tools & Interfaces
Learning Management System: WEB CT, Moodle, Edu 20.org
Usability Engineering & Research: Contextual Inquiry, User & Task Analysis, Usability Observations in
Lab & Natural Settings, Focus Group Research, Interviewing, Questionnaire Survey (Survey Monkey), User
Interface Analysis & Design, User Interface Evaluation Techniques, Rapid Prototyping, User Interface/Web
Development
Operating System: Window 95/98/2000/NT/XP
Web Technology / Authoring Programs: Dreamweaver, FrontPage, Framemaker 7.2, Camtasia, Snag IT,
Macromedia Captivate, WordPress, Doomby
Document Authoring / Editing: Adobe Framemaker, Google Docs, Calameo, Issuu
Social Networking: Facebook, Twitter, Blogs
Data Collection and Analysis: Morae Usability Testing, SPSS, Stat View, SurveyMonkey
Graphic Design: PhotoShop, Poser Figure Artist, Illustrator, Adobe Flash
Language Learning: FLAX, IHMC Concept Mapping Software, Hot Potatoes
Friday, July 22, 2011

12. Project on Spatial Orientation: Technical Illustrations
Design in Physical Space (2001-Current)
How should technical illustrators demonstrate physical orientation to understand
procedures?
What should be the characteristics of the display plane for visualizing procedures?
How do we design body/object positions in user manuals most effectively for second
language speakers such that a minimalist text approach is viable.
Would readers in EFL context understand the subtle difference within body and object
positions /orientations, based on difference in tasks when explained with minimal English
text?
Friday, July 22, 2011

13. Project on Mobile-Assisted Language Learning &
Interface Design (2010-Current)
This usability project reported
extensively on the design and results
of a focus group-oriented study;
undertaken using an IPod based
English learning application for five
advanced EFL-based students in a
Japanese technical university.
Friday, July 22, 2011

14. Project on Designing Technical Illustrations (2003-Current)
Process Graphics
In traditional instructional design, information designers
create instructions with the whole assembly context in
mind, while the readers have a smaller context; only being
able to follow the instructions in the designer’s chosen
order and content presentation (text + graphics).
Problem with Complex Machine Instructions:
1. Multiple components involved (additions and change Process - Outcome Graphics
across subassembly).
2. Multiple Subassembly shown.
3. Different camera angles shown (body-centered, object-
centered).
A problem arises due to inconsistency between the
information designer’s and the reader’s mental models
(Norman, 1983).
Outcome Graphics
Friday, July 22, 2011

15. Project on Concept Maps for EFL Contexts - Concept
Maps and Finance (2010 - Current)
REPRESENT THE FOLLOWING IN CONCEPT MAPS
1. Text clues provided in the graphic
2. Write two possible outcomes showing relation between price and real GDP
3. Explain the declarative relations - definitions of the curves
4. Explain the structural relations - how price is related to Real GDP, How
price is represented vis-a-vis LRAS, How price is represented vis-a-vis SRAS
etc.
5. Explain the functional relations - how average demand changes, how average
supply changes with change in external conditions, etc.
6. Explain the logical relations - factors that causes a change in SRAS, AD
curves, reasons for inward and outward shift, external conditions that prompt
a shift, why LRAS is horizontal?
7. Explain the conditional relations - Explain in a concept map as to how an
increase in investment might lead to inflationary expansion. Show the logic
with nodes and connections.
8. Explain the sequential relation - Represent the sequence of events in a
concept map, starting from what happens once there is an increase in
investment.
Friday, July 22, 2011

16. My Book in Amazon
Text
http://www.amazon.co.jp/Procedural-Instructions-Surgical-Patient-Education/dp/363909395X/
ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1310864403&sr=8-1
Friday, July 22, 2011

17. Research Projects & Funding
JSPS (MEXT) International Travel Grant (2011)
Travel Destination: International Journal of Arts and Sciences Conference in Malta, 2011.
Topic: Concept Map Design and Procedural Information Processing
Funded: 245,000 JPY
Intramural Conference Funding for ACM Conference - University of Aizu - JPY 380,000 - 2011 (Debopriyo Roy and John Brine)
Intramural Conference Funding for ACM Conference - University of Aizu - JPY 780,000 - 2010 (Debopriyo Roy and John Brine)
Competitive Research Grant of JPY 325,000 from University of Aizu, Japan -2010
Study Completed: Concept maps in Information Design for EFL contexts
Kakenhi Research Grant of 1480,000 Yen (Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture,
Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)] – External Funding - 2007-2009
Study Completed: Designing Screenshot affordances for Collaborative use of Open-source technologies: Research on Patterns of Technology Use
Competitive Research Grant of JPY 1040,000 from University of Aizu -2008 (With Prof. John Brine)
Study Completed: Business Communication and Elearning in Moodle
Competitive Research Grant of JPY 849,000 from University of Aizu, Japan -2007
Study Completed: Designing Screenshot Affordances for Software User Manuals
Intramural research grant of $5000 from University of North Texas -2006
Study Completed; Designing Spatial Orientation for Surgical Education (Principal Investigator)
Faculty Summer Research Grant of $5000 from University of North Texas -2006
Study Completed; Project on Outsourcing Design Project to India (Principal Investigator)
Modern Language Association Travel Grant – $300 – 2005
Purpose - Funded for attending Philadelphia MLA convention as a Graduate Student
Extramural research grant of $1000 from Society of Technical Communication –2004
Study Completed; Dissertation on Designing Surgical Instructions (Principal Investigator)
Friday, July 22, 2011

18. Research Accomplishments
UNT/Sabre Project: (English Department Announcements: October 9, 2006)
Debopriyo Roy has won high praise from officials at Sabre Airline Passenger Solutions in Southlake. In
September, Sabre’s Airline Passenger Solutions (APS) Training and Delivery team hosted twenty of
Deb’s technical writing students as part of a community partnership project. The goal of the ongoing
project is to offer UNT students a chance to gain real-world industry experience to enhance their
academic progress. During the September session, APS Training employees hosted four SabreSonic
training sessions spanning several functional areas. The UNT students participated in the training, thus
assisting in the effort to develop optimal methods for self-paced/computer-based training. By all
accounts, everybody involved enjoyed their time together. The event served as a catalyst for new
training methodologies, and energized both the UNT students and the APS Training teams.
Friday, July 22, 2011

19. Research Accomplishments
Friday, July 22, 2011

20. Recent Project Accomplishment
Friday, July 22, 2011

21. IEEE PCS AdCom Nomination
This is a worldwide nomination for 2007-08
Friday, July 22, 2011

22. Research Initiatives
Director, Technical Communication Laboratory
https://sites.google.com/site/techcommlabroy/
Friday, July 22, 2011

23. Supervising Research Projects for Graduation Thesis
Project # 1: Website Localization and Cross-Cultural Communication in English: A Case Study with East Japan
Railway Company
Project # 2: English Website Analysis with Morae Software: A Case Study with East Japan Railway Company Website
Project # 3: Using Morae for Software Analysis: Towards User-Centered Design of English Text and Websites
Project # 4: Using Poser Figure Artist Software to Generate Technical Illustrations for Physical Actions in English User
Manuals
Project # 5: How Users Coordinate Multiple Programs for Document Production in EFL-based Technical and Business
Writing Courses: A Statistical Analysis
Friday, July 22, 2011

24. ACM Professional Chapter Initiative
Japan
Elearning and Technical Communication ACM
Chapter
Charter Date: 15-Jun-10 CLR, University of Aizu
Fukushima
Aizu-Wakamatsu, Japan 9658580
droy@u-aizu.ac.jp
Phone:
81-0242-37-2585
URL: http://clrweb.u-aizu.ac.jp/elearntechcomm/
Chair: Dr. Debopriyo Roy
ACM URL: http://campus.acm.org/public/chapters/geo_listing/index.cfm?rabbr=Japan&inus=0&ct=Professional
Friday, July 22, 2011

25. Annual ACM Chapter Conference on Elearning and
Technical Communication
http://web.me.com/johnbrine/Symposium3/Introduction.html
Conference Chair: Debopriyo Roy and John Brine
Friday, July 22, 2011

26. International Transactions on Elearning and Usability
Journal Editors:
Debopriyo Roy & John Brine
Friday, July 22, 2011

27. Other Involvements
Member, Technical and Scientific Committee, WASET -2009-Present
Vice-Chair, IEEE Professional Communication Society Japan – 2008-2009
Member, International Programming Committee, IASTED Web-based Conference-2010
Reviewer, IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication – Present
Reviewer, International Professional Communication Journal -2009 – Present
Conference Co-Chair, IEEE Technical Meeting on eLearning & Usability -2009 – Present
Program Chair, IEEE PCSJ Seminar, Univ. of Aizu, Japan -2007
Reviewer, Technical Communication -2006
Chair of the session on Distance Learning and Internet Classroom, SW/TX PCA/ACA-2006-2007
Panel Chair, Session on Technical Writing, SW/TX PCA/ACA-2006
Friday, July 22, 2011