The Composing Process of an Engineer

Why did Selzer want to study the writing process of an Engineer?

Selzer may have wanted to study the writing process of an engineer because it is a different process as compared to other writers. Professional and technical writing had started and they wanted to view the process to teach others how to do the technical writing. An engineer not only has to be a professional writer, but have knowledge on a subject other than English. The combination of writing and Engineering skills put together to make technical reports/papers is a process that would be very interesting to see and observe. He puts emphasis on how not why.

What findings were most unique, interesting and compelling?

An interesting aspect was the the engineer spent 80 percent of his time inventing and arranging. Also that he spent under 20 percent of the total time drafting and revision takes up less than 5 percent. This is surprising because most writers explain that over 50 percent of there time is spent revising.
Multiple data collecting methods: Selzer asked Nelson questions about his writing sessions and had him respond on a tape recorder after he was done writing. He did not have him compose aloud. He observed him while writing and then conducted follow up interviews.
It is also evident that Selzer did in fact observe this man because the detail he provides is to such an exact point that there seems no way possible he could have fabricated it.