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UNC MEJO 379 FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS GRADED A+ 2025
How do you calculate sampling error? - (answers)SE = Z x the square root of
(p(100-p) divided by N). SE is standard error. P is sample percentage. N is sample
size. Z is z-score (# of standard errors) -- 95% confidence level (1.96 z-value). If
you know the sample mean, you can divide the standard deviation by the square
root of n.
How do you calculate standard deviation? - (answers)First, find the mean. Second,
subtract the mean from each number in sample. Third, square each number and
add squares together. Fourth, divide by n-1. Lastly, take the square root.
How do you calculate sample variance? - (answers)It follows the same process as
the standard deviation but you do not square root the final answer. It tells you
how varied your sample is.
What is range? - (answers)It is the difference between the lowest and highest
values.
What is confidence interval and how do you calculate it? - (answers)It is the
margin of error or sampling error (range within the confidence level). For
example, 16.5 to 23.5 -- the p + or - the sampling error.
What is mean? And how do you calculate it? - (answers)It is the 'average' which is
the sum of the entire list divided by the amount of items on the list.
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What is mode? And how do you calculate it? - (answers)It is the most common
number.
What is median? And how do you calculate it? - (answers)It is the middle score --
but it is necessary to first arrange the figures in an ascending or descending order.
What are the purposes of content analysis? - (answers)It is defined by the
"systematic, objective, and quantitative manner for the purpose of measuring
variables". It describes communication content, tests hypotheses of message
characteristics, compares media to "real world", assesses the image of groups in
society, establishes the starting point for media effects/
What are the limitations of content analysis? - (answers)It cannot serve as sole
basis for media effects claims, unless audience perspectives are analyzed, analysis
is limited to the framework used in the study (i.e., measurements you use in that
study), lack of messages (examples) for the research project, can be expensive
and time consuming.
What is the criteria for categories? - (answers)mutually exclusive (can only be in
one coding category), exhaustive (everything is coded in a category and/or
miscellaneous), reliable (consistent across coders).
What is multistage sampling? - (answers)The first level is similar to that of the
cluster sampling, where the clusters are formed out of the population, but
further, these clusters are sub-divided into smaller targeting groups, i.e. sub-
clusters and then the subject from each sub-clusters are chosen randomly.
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What is a priori v. emergent coding? - (answers)The first is predetermined coding
that may be based on a previous coding dictionary from another researcher or
key concepts in a theoretical construct. They may derive from the interview guide
or list of research questions. The second is concepts, actions, or meanings, that
evolved from the data.
What is intercoder reliability? - (answers)It measures the relationship between
coders' decisions. In other words, it refers to the extent to which two or more
independent coders agree on the coding of the content of interest with an
application of the same coding scheme.
***.90 is most acceptable reliability score, .80 okay in most settings, .70 is okay
for some exploratory research or with more rigorous tests**
What is a unit of analysis? - (answers)It is the major entity that is being analyzed
in a study. It is the 'what' or 'who' that is being studied. In social science research,
typical units of analysis include individuals (most common), groups, social
organizations and social artifacts. Could be a tweet or a Facebook post.
Descriptive vs. Analytical Surveys - (answers)Descriptive: describes or documents
current attitudes, opinions, conditions, etc. Analytical: attempts to describe and
explain why situations exist
What are pros and cons of mail surveys? - (answers)Mail can cover a wide
geographic area for a reasonable cost; however, you cannot control who fills out
the survey. It has to be self-explanatory and it has a low return rate.
UNC MEJO 379 FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS GRADED A+ 2025
How do you calculate sampling error? - (answers)SE = Z x the square root of
(p(100-p) divided by N). SE is standard error. P is sample percentage. N is sample
size. Z is z-score (# of standard errors) -- 95% confidence level (1.96 z-value). If
you know the sample mean, you can divide the standard deviation by the square
root of n.
How do you calculate standard deviation? - (answers)First, find the mean. Second,
subtract the mean from each number in sample. Third, square each number and
add squares together. Fourth, divide by n-1. Lastly, take the square root.
How do you calculate sample variance? - (answers)It follows the same process as
the standard deviation but you do not square root the final answer. It tells you
how varied your sample is.
What is range? - (answers)It is the difference between the lowest and highest
values.
What is confidence interval and how do you calculate it? - (answers)It is the
margin of error or sampling error (range within the confidence level). For
example, 16.5 to 23.5 -- the p + or - the sampling error.
What is mean? And how do you calculate it? - (answers)It is the 'average' which is
the sum of the entire list divided by the amount of items on the list.
,2|Page
What is mode? And how do you calculate it? - (answers)It is the most common
number.
What is median? And how do you calculate it? - (answers)It is the middle score --
but it is necessary to first arrange the figures in an ascending or descending order.
What are the purposes of content analysis? - (answers)It is defined by the
"systematic, objective, and quantitative manner for the purpose of measuring
variables". It describes communication content, tests hypotheses of message
characteristics, compares media to "real world", assesses the image of groups in
society, establishes the starting point for media effects/
What are the limitations of content analysis? - (answers)It cannot serve as sole
basis for media effects claims, unless audience perspectives are analyzed, analysis
is limited to the framework used in the study (i.e., measurements you use in that
study), lack of messages (examples) for the research project, can be expensive
and time consuming.
What is the criteria for categories? - (answers)mutually exclusive (can only be in
one coding category), exhaustive (everything is coded in a category and/or
miscellaneous), reliable (consistent across coders).
What is multistage sampling? - (answers)The first level is similar to that of the
cluster sampling, where the clusters are formed out of the population, but
further, these clusters are sub-divided into smaller targeting groups, i.e. sub-
clusters and then the subject from each sub-clusters are chosen randomly.
, 3|Page
What is a priori v. emergent coding? - (answers)The first is predetermined coding
that may be based on a previous coding dictionary from another researcher or
key concepts in a theoretical construct. They may derive from the interview guide
or list of research questions. The second is concepts, actions, or meanings, that
evolved from the data.
What is intercoder reliability? - (answers)It measures the relationship between
coders' decisions. In other words, it refers to the extent to which two or more
independent coders agree on the coding of the content of interest with an
application of the same coding scheme.
***.90 is most acceptable reliability score, .80 okay in most settings, .70 is okay
for some exploratory research or with more rigorous tests**
What is a unit of analysis? - (answers)It is the major entity that is being analyzed
in a study. It is the 'what' or 'who' that is being studied. In social science research,
typical units of analysis include individuals (most common), groups, social
organizations and social artifacts. Could be a tweet or a Facebook post.
Descriptive vs. Analytical Surveys - (answers)Descriptive: describes or documents
current attitudes, opinions, conditions, etc. Analytical: attempts to describe and
explain why situations exist
What are pros and cons of mail surveys? - (answers)Mail can cover a wide
geographic area for a reasonable cost; however, you cannot control who fills out
the survey. It has to be self-explanatory and it has a low return rate.
