DPR3711 Assignment 1 (ANSWERS) Semester 1 2026 - DISTINCTION GUARANTEED

Comprehensively structured DPR3711 Assignment 1 (ANSWERS) Semester 1 2026 - DISTINCTION GUARANTEED. Prepared to a distinction standard with detailed and well-developed responses.. The economic growth of the 20th century was fuelled by the burning of fossil fuels which brought about climate change problems. Accordingly, the 21st century is characterised by challenges such as health issues, urbanisation, resource depletion, ecosystem damage, erosion of cultural diversity, social inequity, food insecurity and climate change problems (Belz & Peattie, 2012). The adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in 2015, with 17 sustainable development goals (SDGS) and their associated 169 targets, was a significant milestone in the global effort to create an economically, socially and ecologically sustainable world (Seth & Parvatiyar, 2021). Questions in this assignment are based on selected (SGDs) . Question 1: Developing a research proposal As a public relations officer , you should develop public relations strategies/plans which are research-evidence based . Commenting on the value of public relations research, Lattimore, Baskin, Heiman and Toth (2012:114), remark that "it supplies the initial inputs to guide strategy and message development and provides a method for predicting effectiveness and assessing results." The assertion of Lattimore et al (2012) underscores the pervasiveness of research in public relations processes and suggests that research should underpin all public relations decision-making processes and activities. The starting point of any research effort is developing a research proposal . Accordingly , in this assessment activity , you are expected to develop a research proposal on a public relations topic of your choice . The activity is based on the first SDG . The first SDG is to end poverty in all its forms everywhere .  Identify an organisation that operates in the social services sector  Visit the organisation’s website to gain an understanding of the organisation. Additionally, you should read news stories about the organisation.  Indicate the mission of the organisation.  Develop a research proposal by answering the following questions: Question Guidelines What is your public relations research title/topic (1) Formulate a public relations title which clearly indicates the central theme of the study. For example: “A qualitative examination of the use of marketing public relations at the University of South Africa” Provide an overview of the organisation (1) Provide background information on the organisation, including its vision and mission. You should source the information from the selected organisation’s website. Provide background and context of the research problem (1) State why the research is important. Indicate the gap in the literature that your study will address. Does your literature search indicate that is no study has been conducted on the subject organisation? If yes, it means there is a gap in the literature. What is your research problem statement (1) Describe the research issue in one sentence. For example: “The goal of the study is to qualitatively examine the use of marketing public relations at the University of South Africa” Provide a literature review (existing research) of the research problem at hand (8) Explain key concepts of your study . Key concepts of the study are contained in the research title and the research problem statement. As part of the literature review , you should indicate findings of other studies on your research issue. Remember to indicate your sources of information in the text (in-text referencing) and in the list of sources . What is your research method and Why (2) Describe your chosen research method and justify it. In other words, state its advantages, according to the literature (research methodology in literature, books and journal articles). What is your targeted population and why (1) Define your population. For example: “The population of the study comprises all employees at Unisa.” You should justify your population in relation to your research problem . What is your sampling method and Why (1) Describe your chosen sampling method and its advantages. How will you collect data? (1) Tell the reader about the data collection process, with special emphasis on the data collection instrument. How will you analyse data (1) Explain how data will be analysed. The data analysis approach should be consistent with your chosen research method. For example, if you have selected the quantitative research method, you can use descriptive statistics. Self-reflection (2) Write a self-reflection on the challenges that you encountered and the solutions thereof in the research proposal development process . Total 20 marks It is recommended that you watch the following video before you complete your research proposal : ype=E210US91105G0#id=1&vid=b12c3a38bcdab536ecbc01c4e8abe0c3&action=click To learn more about the organisation, visit its website. Please do not contact the organisation. Question 2: Media monitoring This question is based on SGD 2 . SGD 2 is to end hunger hunger , achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture .  Identify an organisation of your choice in the agricultural sector  Indicate the mission of the organisation.  Identify five news stories on the selected organisation . Please note that media statements are not news stories  Search for news stories about the chosen organisation (use an internet search engine like Google). Use the following template to compile a report on the news stories on the selected organisation: Media organisation/source Title of the story/headline/descripti on of the public relations issue/problem Date of publication/bro adcast Recommended public relations action or activity It is advisable that you watch the following video before you complete this question : onitoring+video&type=E210US91105G0#id=3&vid=9e45fbee93a74d8eadf280b59882b2 8c&action=click [10] LEARNING 2: PUBLIC RELATIONS PLANNING Question 3: Public relations planning This question is based on SDG 3 . SDG 3 is to ensure healthy lives and promote well being for all ages  Identify an organisation of your choice in the health sector  What is the organisation's mission?  Develop a public relations plan for the organisation that includes the following elements: 3.1 Research (2) Describe the stakeholders and communication opportunities or problems facing the organisation. 3.2 Objectives (2) Set one informational objective and one output objective. 3.3Programming (4) In a table format, list public relations activities to translate the set public relations objectives into reality. 3.4 Evaluation (3) o Mention three evaluation methods that you will use to measure your public relations campaign. To complete this activity, visit the organisation's website. Please do not contact the organisation. Moreover, it is suggested that you should watch the following video : relations+plan&type=E210US91105G0#id=4&vid=4b08879b0858c6fc085b511befbce02 5&action=click [11] Question 4: Crisis management This question is based on SDG 4 . SGD 4 is to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all . One of your responsibilities as a public relations practitioner will be to help your organisation to use communication to navigate crisis situations. Using the following template, develop a crisis communication plan for an organisation of your choice in the education sector that is facing a crisis according to news stories (use search engines, like Google, to search for the stories). Examples of crises include workers’ strikes , students’ strikes , environmental disasters and others . To this end, you should answer the following questions: Name of the organisation: 4.1 Research (5) Describe the organisation’s stakeholders and the crisis situation, with special reference to its causes. 4.2 Public relations objectives (2) Set 2 public relations/communication-related objectives. 4.3 Public relations activities (4) List 2 public relations activities. 4.4 Crisis management team (3) Identify members of the crisis management team. We recommend that you watch the following video before you complete this activity : unication+crisis+video&type=E210US91105G0#id=2&vid=56e99997f2d0629a145cf7e1 7351538e&action=click [14] LEARNING UNIT 3: MEDIA RELATIONS AND WRITING Question 5: Schedule of media interviews This question is based on SDG 3 . SDG 3 is to ensure healthy lives and promote well being for all ages Use the following template to compile a schedule of five pre-event media interviews on an event to mark World Aids Day at an organisation of your choice:  Indicate the name and mission statement of the organisation Name of media organisation Motivation for selecting the media organisation Interviewee or messenger - name and rank of the person Date and time Progress report