Top five things that Public Top five things that Public Relations students need to Relations students need to

know about researchknow about researchCreated by: Sheila CostCreated by: Sheila Cost

1.) APA STYLE1.) APA STYLE

General APA GuidelinesGeneral APA Guidelines

Your essay should be typed, double-spaced on standard-sized Your essay should be typed, double-spaced on standard-sized paper (8.5" x 11") with 1" margins on all sides. You should use 10-paper (8.5" x 11") with 1" margins on all sides. You should use 10-12 pt. Times New Roman font or a similar font.12 pt. Times New Roman font or a similar font.

Include a Include a page headerpage header at the top of every page. To create a at the top of every page. To create a page headerpage header, insert page numbers flush right. Then type "TITLE , insert page numbers flush right. Then type "TITLE OF YOUR PAPER" in the header flush left.OF YOUR PAPER" in the header flush left.

Major Paper SectionsMajor Paper Sections Your essay should include Your essay should include fourfour major sections: the major sections: the Title PageTitle Page, ,

AbstractAbstract, , Main BodyMain Body, and , and ReferencesReferences..

Information was taken from: Information was taken from: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/

2.) RELIABILITY VS. VALIDITY2.) RELIABILITY VS. VALIDITY Reliability : To what extent to which results are consistent over Reliability : To what extent to which results are consistent over

time.time.

Validity : determines whether the research truly measures that Validity : determines whether the research truly measures that which it was intended to measure or how truthful the research which it was intended to measure or how truthful the research

results are.results are.

3.) ETHICS3.) ETHICS Ethics are norms for conduct that distinguish between acceptable and unacceptable behavior.Ethics are norms for conduct that distinguish between acceptable and unacceptable behavior.

Here are some ethical principles considered when conduction research:Here are some ethical principles considered when conduction research:

HonestyHonesty ObjectivityObjectivity IntegrityIntegrity CarefulnessCarefulness OpennessOpenness Respect for Intellectual PropertyRespect for Intellectual Property Confidentiality Confidentiality Responsible MentoringResponsible Mentoring Respect for ColleaguesRespect for Colleagues Social ResponsibilitySocial Responsibility Non-DiscriminationNon-Discrimination CompetenceCompetence LegalityLegality Animal CareAnimal Care and Human Subjects Protectionand Human Subjects Protection

For more information on the Ethics in Research and Why is it Important , Please visit : For more information on the Ethics in Research and Why is it Important , Please visit : http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/resources/bioethics/whatis.cfmhttp://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/resources/bioethics/whatis.cfm. The information listed above is . The information listed above is also credited to this website.also credited to this website.

Focus GroupsFocus Groups Require larger time commitment Require larger time commitment

from participantsfrom participants Require advance planning to Require advance planning to

invite guests, reserve space, invite guests, reserve space, develop questions, etc.develop questions, etc.

Acquire information from a Acquire information from a relatively small group of relatively small group of representative stakeholdersrepresentative stakeholders

Use a trained facilitatorUse a trained facilitator Allow participants to build on each Allow participants to build on each

other’s ideasother’s ideas Happens at a fixed time and in a Happens at a fixed time and in a

set mannerset manner

Information taken Information taken from:http://www.maine.gov/education/aded/dfrom:http://www.maine.gov/education/aded/dev/strategic_plan/focusgr.rtfev/strategic_plan/focusgr.rtf

SurveysSurveys Require relatively short time Require relatively short time

commitment from participantscommitment from participants Require advance planning to Require advance planning to

develop questions, distribute develop questions, distribute surveys, and process answerssurveys, and process answers

Acquire information from an Acquire information from an entire group (depending on size) entire group (depending on size) or larger sample.or larger sample.

Do not require a trained facilitatorDo not require a trained facilitator Participants do not have the Participants do not have the

ability to build on each other’s ability to build on each other’s ideas.ideas.

Can be administered in a variety Can be administered in a variety of ways.of ways.

4.) Focus Group vs. Surveys4.) Focus Group vs. Surveys

5.)Coding Data5.)Coding Data

Coding Data is a data reduction method. When you are doing Coding Data is a data reduction method. When you are doing

qualitative research, codes are normally words or devices for qualitative research, codes are normally words or devices for identifying themes. A good codebook should include :identifying themes. A good codebook should include :

A detailed description of each codeA detailed description of each code Inclusion and exclusion criteriaInclusion and exclusion criteria Exemplars of real text for each themExemplars of real text for each them

Exemplars of the theme’s boundaries, if abstractExemplars of the theme’s boundaries, if abstract Information credited to http://www.qualres.org/HomeCodi-3828.htmlInformation credited to http://www.qualres.org/HomeCodi-3828.html

ConclusionConclusionOverall, Public Relations students need to know :Overall, Public Relations students need to know : APA StyleAPA Style Reliability vs. ValidityReliability vs. Validity EthicsEthics Focus Group vs. SurveysFocus Group vs. Surveys And Coding DataAnd Coding Data

I picked these things as my top five things that Public Relation students I picked these things as my top five things that Public Relation students need to know about research because some of these things I felt my group need to know about research because some of these things I felt my group members and I struggled with throughout this semester and I don’t want members and I struggled with throughout this semester and I don’t want others to do the same. The other things that I picked were because those others to do the same. The other things that I picked were because those were the things that I felt were the most important things that I got out of were the things that I felt were the most important things that I got out of the class. I really enjoyed this class! This class has prepared me for the the class. I really enjoyed this class! This class has prepared me for the projects that I will have to carry out in the future. As well as, help me be projects that I will have to carry out in the future. As well as, help me be fully prepared for my last semester of my undergraduate career. If fully prepared for my last semester of my undergraduate career. If students read this PowerPoint , they will understand the basics of any students read this PowerPoint , they will understand the basics of any research that they will encounter.research that they will encounter.