UNC MEJO 379 FINAL EXAM 2025
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
How do you calculate sampling error? - ANS 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? - ANS 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? - ANS 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? - ANS It is the difference between the lowest and highest values.
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,What is confidence interval and how do you calculate it? - ANS 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? - ANS It is the 'average' which is the sum of the
entire list divided by the amount of items on the list.
What is mode? And how do you calculate it? - ANS It is the most common number.
What is median? And how do you calculate it? - ANS 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? - ANS 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/
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, What are the limitations of content analysis? - ANS 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? - ANS 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? - ANS 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.
What is a priori v. emergent coding? - ANS 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.
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
How do you calculate sampling error? - ANS 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? - ANS 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? - ANS 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? - ANS It is the difference between the lowest and highest values.
COPYRIGHT © 2025 FYNDLAY ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,What is confidence interval and how do you calculate it? - ANS 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? - ANS It is the 'average' which is the sum of the
entire list divided by the amount of items on the list.
What is mode? And how do you calculate it? - ANS It is the most common number.
What is median? And how do you calculate it? - ANS 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? - ANS 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/
COPYRIGHT © 2025 FYNDLAY ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
, What are the limitations of content analysis? - ANS 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? - ANS 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? - ANS 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.
What is a priori v. emergent coding? - ANS 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.
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