Comm Theory 2

Question 1

Know something about the various kinds of sources acceptable in a literature review and to guide a research project. Why are scholarly articles most valued? (ch 4)

Answer 1

-Some include scholarly articles, books, conference papers, and gov. reports.
- Scholarly articles are most valued because they are peer- reviewed by experts.

Question 2

What is the typical protocol for a citation, regardless of style (i.e…author name, etc.)?

Answer 2

-It includes the author’s last name, year of publication, title of the work, and publication of details.
- This is the basic structure

Question 3

What is NOIR? Recognize examples of the different types of measurement and how they are used in surveys and data analysis.

Answer 3

-Nominal: categories with no order (gender, race)
-Ordinal: Ranked categories (ranking preferences)
-Interval: Ordered with equal intervals but no zero. (temperature)
- Ratio: Equal intervals and zero. (weight, height)

Question 3

What is APA and what do the letters stand for?

Answer 3

• American Psychological Association.
• It is a widely used style for citing sources, in social sciences. It emphasizes the author- date citation style.

Question 4

Survey scales: understand key differences between Likert and Semantic Differential scales.

Answer 4

• Likert: Express agreement/ disagreement with a statement. (strongly agree..)
  -Sematic: Rate their position between two opposite descriptors. (happy-sad)

Question 5

Why do researchers prefer measurements at the interval or ratio level?

Answer 5

-It provides quantitative data, which allows more advances statistical analysis.
- Also more precision and comparisons

Question 6

What is intercoder or observer reliability?

Answer 6

-This is consistency, which is two or more observers or coders that interpret the same data.

Question 7

How is standard error related to sample size?

Answer 7

-Standard error decreases as sample size increases.
- Showing larger samples produce more accurate estimates

Question 8

Sampling terms: sampling frame, population, census, probability, convenience, nonrandom, random, sampling units

Answer 8

-Sampling frame: list from which a sample is drawn
- Population: entire group to study
- Census: study entire population
- Prob.: every member has an equal chance
- Convenience: selecting a sample that is easiest
- Nonrandom: samples selected through non- random methods
- Random: Everyone in pop. had equal chance.
-Sampling units: individual elements or groups considered for selection.

Question 9

Why would you want to host a survey on the Web and what are the limitations?

Answer 9

-Benefits: Easy distribution, lower cost, quick data collection, and reaching a larger audience.
- Limitations: Low response rates, limited to internet users, and self- selection bias.

Question 10

Survey basics: demographics/types, question wording/order, text boxes, open/closed questions, check boxes, radio buttons, etc.

Answer 10

-Demographics: basic info about respondents. (age, gender)
- Question wording: questions should be clear
-Question order: sequence can influence responses
- Open questions: respondents answer in their own words
-Closed questions: respondents choose from predefined answers
- Check boxes: multiple selections allowed
- Radio buttons: only one selection allowed

Question 11

Content analysis: coding, coding schemes, codebook, stop words, disambiguation.

Answer 11

• Coding: Assigning units of analysis to categories
• Coding schemes: system for organizing and categorizing data
• Codebook: guide that explains coding categories
• Stop words: common words excluded from analysis
• Disambiguation: Clarifying the meaning of ambiguous terms or concepts.

Question 12

What is content analysis, its process and why is it attractive to researchers?

Answer 12

-Content analysis: method for systematically analyzing the content of communication.
- Process: define categories, code the data, analyze patters
- Attractive to research: it allows for quantitative and qualitative analysis.

Question 13

Expectancy Violations

Answer 13

-Focuses on how people respond to unexpected behaviors

Question 14

Elaboration Likelihood Model

Answer 14

-explains how people are persuaded through; a central route (thoughtful consideration) and peripheral route (relying on external cues).

Question 15

Family Communication Patterns

Answer 15

-Focuses on how family communicate and develop through relations.
- Consensual: High conversation, high conformity
- Pluralistic: High conversation, low conformity
- Protective: low conversation, high conformity
- Laissez-faire: low conversation, low conformity

Question 16

Social Information Processing

Answer 16

-how people form relationships online through computer- mediated communication

Question 17

Uncertainty Reduction

Answer 17

-used to reduce uncertainty when people meet for the first time.

Question 18

Dramatism

Answer 18

• Views life as a drama where communication is a form of symbolic action
• Act: what happened
• Scene: where and when it happened
• Agent: who did it
• Agency: how they did it
• Purpose: why they did it

Question 19

Discuss how an undecided voter might evaluate a presidential debate in light of the Elaboration Likelihood Model, particularly in the persuasive messages he or she might choose to consume or be exposed to (ads, debates, speeches, articles, etc.). Apply ELM to their likely communicative behavior.

Answer 19

• They are likely to engage in central route processing. They would focus on arguments made by the candidates, consider the evidence, logical reasoning, and the relevance of policies presented during the debate.
  -They may seek fact- based articles, and long-form speeches to help clarify issues
• They may watch full debates to assess the candidates’ stances
  -In the Peripheral Route processing stance, they would be swayed by surface- level cues. Like tone of voice, charisma, endorsements.
• They could consume more social media posts or political ads. And also influenced by the quantity of messages or emotional appeal.

Question 20

Discuss a situation where you might want to violate expectations in how you communicate with someone. What are the potential risks and rewards in light of Expectancy Violations theory?

Answer 20

• One example could be during a job interview. We are typically supposed to be formal with rehearsed answers. But someone might choose to violate these expectations by being more casual, sharing a personal story, or using humor to be more relaxing.
• Rewards: Memorability, Confidence, Highlighting fit with Company, and Building report.
• Risks: Misinterpretation, Cultural differences, loss of control, negative perception.

Question 21

What survey research and sampling principles have you learned in class that would help us understand why presidential polls are more or less accurate two weeks from the election?

Answer 21

• Probability sampling: accurate polls use this, where every individual in the pop. has a known and equal chance of being selected.
• Random sampling: ensuring a truly random sample helps avoid systematic errors.
• Larger sample size is more accurate.
• Depends on the timing, question wording and order, data collection methods, demographic representation, and margin or error.

Question 22

Pick one theory from the 6 covered this part of the semester and give an original example that explains the theory’s usefulness in practical terms. Discuss how this theory has been researched and what kind of study you might devise if this theory informed your project.

Answer 22

• Social Information Processing Theory: people can develop relationships and convey personal info through computer- mediated communication. (CMC)
• Two people meet online and exchange messages. At first formal then more personal. Overtime they develop a relationship and meet up in real life.
• Studies have shown that individuals can express emotions and develop intimacy over CMC through the strategic use of language.
• If I were to devise a study based, I would investigate how different types of online communication platforms impact the development of friendships among college students.

Question 23

Violation Valence

Answer 23

-Positive: if violates expectations it is perceived positively.
- Negative: If it is perceived negatively, it can lead to discomfort