Research Methods in Mass Communication Exam Questions Answered Correctly!! (Rated A+)
"n" - Answers Sample size. The number of subjects in the study.
IRB - Answers Institutional Review Board. An administrative body established to protect the rights and
welfare of human research subjects recruited to participate in research activities conducted under the
auspices of the institution with which it is affiliated.
Quantitative Methods - Answers Emphasize objective measurements and the statistical, mathematical,
or numerical analysis of data collected through polls, questionnaires, and surveys, or by manipulating
pre-existing statistical data using computational techniques.
Data Analysis - Answers The process of systematically applying statistical and/or logical techniques to
describe and illustrate, condense and recap, and evaluate data.
Needs to address the questions or hypotheses set out in the definition of the research problem.
Focus Groups - Answers Conducted to obtain specific types of information from clearly identified sets of
individuals.
Individuals invited must be able and willing to provide the desired information and must be
representative of the population of interest.
Small.
Review of Literature - Answers A review of the most relevant, recent and scholarly work in the
subject/topic area.
-establishes a theoretical framework for your topic/subject area
-define key terms, definitions and terminology
-identify studies, models, case studies, etc., supporting your topic
, -define/establish your area of study, i.e. your research topic.
-what the research says (theory)
-how the research was carried out (methodology)
-what is missing, i.e. the gap that your research intends to fill.
Defining the problem - Answers What is the issue? Why should we care?
Informed Consent - Answers A voluntary agreement to participate in research. It is not merely a form
that is signed but is a process, in which the subject has an understanding of the research and its risks.
Informed consent is essential before enrolling a participant and ongoing once enrolled
Peer Review Process - Answers A process of subjecting research methods and findings to the scrutiny of
others who are experts in the same field. Makes sure that the papers are valid and unbiased.
Empirical Models for Research - Answers The top 3 are content analysis, experimental design, and
polling
Survey - Answers Seeks to provide empirical data collected from a population of respondents on a whole
number of topics or issues. Can also be used to collect data about current attitudes and opinions as well.
Aristotle - Answers The man.
Poll - Answers Polls consist of one multiple choice question where the respondent can generally only
select one answer.
Polls take a matter of seconds to complete and in a couple of mouse clicks so you can get instant
feedback from your respondents.
Results for polls can be seen in reports immediately and no analysis is necessarily required.
Effect v. Affect - Answers Quantitative research focuses on affect. We are not looking for cause and
effect.
Affect is to impact.
"n" - Answers Sample size. The number of subjects in the study.
IRB - Answers Institutional Review Board. An administrative body established to protect the rights and
welfare of human research subjects recruited to participate in research activities conducted under the
auspices of the institution with which it is affiliated.
Quantitative Methods - Answers Emphasize objective measurements and the statistical, mathematical,
or numerical analysis of data collected through polls, questionnaires, and surveys, or by manipulating
pre-existing statistical data using computational techniques.
Data Analysis - Answers The process of systematically applying statistical and/or logical techniques to
describe and illustrate, condense and recap, and evaluate data.
Needs to address the questions or hypotheses set out in the definition of the research problem.
Focus Groups - Answers Conducted to obtain specific types of information from clearly identified sets of
individuals.
Individuals invited must be able and willing to provide the desired information and must be
representative of the population of interest.
Small.
Review of Literature - Answers A review of the most relevant, recent and scholarly work in the
subject/topic area.
-establishes a theoretical framework for your topic/subject area
-define key terms, definitions and terminology
-identify studies, models, case studies, etc., supporting your topic
, -define/establish your area of study, i.e. your research topic.
-what the research says (theory)
-how the research was carried out (methodology)
-what is missing, i.e. the gap that your research intends to fill.
Defining the problem - Answers What is the issue? Why should we care?
Informed Consent - Answers A voluntary agreement to participate in research. It is not merely a form
that is signed but is a process, in which the subject has an understanding of the research and its risks.
Informed consent is essential before enrolling a participant and ongoing once enrolled
Peer Review Process - Answers A process of subjecting research methods and findings to the scrutiny of
others who are experts in the same field. Makes sure that the papers are valid and unbiased.
Empirical Models for Research - Answers The top 3 are content analysis, experimental design, and
polling
Survey - Answers Seeks to provide empirical data collected from a population of respondents on a whole
number of topics or issues. Can also be used to collect data about current attitudes and opinions as well.
Aristotle - Answers The man.
Poll - Answers Polls consist of one multiple choice question where the respondent can generally only
select one answer.
Polls take a matter of seconds to complete and in a couple of mouse clicks so you can get instant
feedback from your respondents.
Results for polls can be seen in reports immediately and no analysis is necessarily required.
Effect v. Affect - Answers Quantitative research focuses on affect. We are not looking for cause and
effect.
Affect is to impact.
