Political Science vs. UX Writing: Differences and Similarities
As a former PhD student in political science, I have spent multiple years analyzing people’s political behaviors and political institutions. Transitioning from political science to the practical world of UX writing and content design seemed daunting at first. However, I have come to realize that the core skills and methods from my previous field have equipped me uniquely for this new career path. This article aims to outline the differences and similarities necessary for political scientists considering a shift to UX writing, providing insights into how these seemingly diverse fields overlap and complement each other.
Section 1: Differences
Difference #1: Goals
Political Science aims at understanding people’s political behaviors, influencing policy, or predicting political outcomes. The focus can be theoretical, aiming to generate broad knowledge that can guide political decisions or academic understanding.
UX Writing primarily focuses on enhancing user experience through practical design and communication strategies. The objective is directly tied to usability, user satisfaction, and immediate application in product development.
Difference #2: Audience Engagement
The audience engagement is often indirect for political science. For example, through public opinion polls or studying electoral data. The interaction with the audience (voters, policymakers) is usually not in real-time.
UX Writing has direct and iterative engagement with the audience (users). UX Writers receive immediate feedback through user testing sessions, A/B testing, which directly inform ongoing content and design adjustments.
Difference #3: Language and Presentation
The language used for political science is academic and formal, which often use complex language to make arguments that are suitable for scholarly articles.
UX Writing requires simple, concise and user-friendly language that aims to communicate effectively with a broad user base. It often requires the simplification of complex information.
Section 2: Similarities
Similarity #1: Understanding the Groundwork — Research Methods
In political science, research is often built on surveys, interviews, and extensive data analysis. This rigorous approach to gather insights and build theories is similar to the user research phase in UX Writing, where methods such as user interviews, usability testing, and A/B testing play crucial roles. Both disciplines require a solid foundation in data interpretation and the ability to draw actionable conclusions from that data.
Similarity #2: Knowing Your Audience — The Art of Analysis
Audience analysis is at the heart of both political science and UX writing. Just as a political scientist must understand the demographics, cultural nuances, and preferences of different voter groups, a UX writer must grasp the needs, frustrations, and desires of the user base. In UX, creating detailed user personas is akin to the voter profiles developed in political campaigns. Both are used to tailor communication effectively, ensuring that messages resonate with the intended audience. This alignment in methods highlights a crucial skill set that is seamlessly transferable from political science to UX writing.
Similarity #3: Communication is Key — Writing to Persuade and Inform
While the ultimate goals of communication in each field may differ — one aimed at informing and persuading voters, the other at guiding and assisting users — the importance of clear, persuasive communication remains constant. Political science requires the ability to argue convincingly, often underpinned by extensive research and rhetorical skill. In UX writing, the challenge is to convey information as succinctly and clearly as possible, often requiring writers to distill complex concepts into digestible, user-friendly content. This shift from complexity to simplicity can be challenging but also rewarding, as it enhances a writer’s ability to communicate effectively across different contexts.
Conclusion
The transition from political science to UX writing is less about abandoning one field for another and more about leveraging existing skills in a new and dynamic way. For those of us with a background in political science, UX writing offers a unique opportunity to apply our analytical and communicative skills in a field that values precision, user engagement, and ethical considerations. If you’re contemplating this career shift, consider how your current skills can serve as a foundation for success in UX writing, and how you can continue to grow and adapt within this exciting field.
