ANSWER TO QUESTION 1
(a) Draft three suitable topics for public relations research. One must be the one approved in class.
- The Role of Social Media in Crisis Management for Public Relations.
- Effectiveness of Town Hall Meetings in Enhancing Student-Management Relations. (This is the approved one).
- The Impact of Public Relations on Brand Reputation in Nigeria.
(b) From topic one, state three objectives of the study.
- To examine how town hall meetings improve communication between students and management in Ebonyi State University.
- To assess the effectiveness of town hall meetings in addressing students’ complaints and concerns.
- To determine students’ perception of town hall meetings as a public relations strategy.
(c) From the objectives, deduce your research questions.
- How do town hall meetings improve communication between students and management?
- How effective are town hall meetings in resolving students’ complaints and concerns?
- What is the perception of students regarding town hall meetings as a public relations strategy?
(d) State the null hypothesis.
Null Hypothesis (H₀): Town hall meetings have no significant effect on student-management relations in Ebonyi State University.
ANSWER TO QUESTION 2
Public Relations practitioners who ignore research are as dangerous as generals who go to war blind of the enemy’s signal. Discuss this statement in relation to the relevance of research to the practice of public relations.
Research is an essential part of public relations. The statement means that PR practitioners who ignore research are like military generals who enter a battlefield without knowing their enemy’s position, strategies, or strengths. Just as a general must gather intelligence before making war decisions, a PR practitioner must use research to make informed communication strategies.
Importance of Research in Public Relations:
- Understanding the Target Audience – Research helps PR professionals understand the audience they are communicating with, including their interests, needs, and expectations. Without research, PR campaigns may fail to connect with the intended audience.
- Crisis Management – In times of crisis, PR research helps to identify the root cause of the issue, analyze public perception, and develop an appropriate response to protect an organization’s image.
- Measuring Campaign Effectiveness – Through research, PR experts can evaluate whether their campaigns are achieving the desired results or if adjustments are needed.
- Competitor Analysis – Just as a general studies their enemy, PR professionals use research to analyze competitors and position their organization better in the market.
- Media Strategy – Research helps PR experts determine the best media platforms (social media, TV, radio, newspapers) to use for their campaigns.
Conclusion:
Ignoring research in PR is risky because it leads to poor decision-making, wasted resources, and potential damage to an organization’s reputation. A PR practitioner who relies on assumptions rather than facts is setting themselves up for failure.
ANSWER TO QUESTION 3
Distinguish between the following terms with relevant examples:
(a) Probability and Non-Probability Sampling
- Probability Sampling: This is when every member of a population has an equal chance of being selected for research. It is more scientific and reduces bias. Example: Randomly selecting students from a school to participate in a survey.
- Non-Probability Sampling: Here, selection is based on convenience or judgment, and not everyone has an equal chance of being chosen. Example: Interviewing only students who are available at a particular time.
(b) Participant and Non-Participant Observation
- Participant Observation: The researcher actively engages in the group they are studying to get a deeper understanding. Example: A journalist joining a protest to observe the behavior of protesters.
- Non-Participant Observation: The researcher observes from a distance without direct involvement. Example: A PR professional watching how customers react to a new product in a supermarket.
(c) Personal and Panel Interview
- Personal Interview: A one-on-one interaction between the interviewer and the interviewee. Example: A journalist interviewing a celebrity.
- Panel Interview: A group of interviewers questioning a single candidate. Example: A company interviewing a job applicant with multiple interviewers present.
(d) Survey and Content Analysis
- Survey: A research method that involves asking questions to a group of people to gather data. Example: Conducting a questionnaire to assess public opinion on a political candidate.
- Content Analysis: A method of studying and interpreting recorded communication, such as newspaper articles, social media posts, or TV shows. Example: Analyzing how the media portrays women in political campaigns.
ANSWER TO QUESTION 4
PR Manager organizing a seminar on skill acquisition among Ebonyi youths
(a) Who are your target audience?
- Secondary school leavers
- Unemployed youths
- University students
- Small business owners
- Local community leaders
(b) Which medium will you use to inform the audience about the upcoming events?
- Social media (Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram)
- Radio announcements
- Flyers and posters in strategic locations
- Word-of-mouth communication through community leaders
(c) What are the strengths and weaknesses of your chosen medium?
| Medium | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|
| Social Media | Fast and wide reach, low cost | Some people may not have internet access |
| Radio Announcements | Reaches a large audience, especially in rural areas | Limited to people who listen to that station |
| Flyers/Posters | Physical presence in the community, affordable | Can be ignored or torn down |
| Word of Mouth | Builds trust and credibility | Slow and difficult to control the message |
ANSWER TO QUESTION 5
PR Research on “Effectiveness of Town Hall Meeting as a Medium for Enhancing Students/Management Relations in EBSU”
(a) Four Objectives of the Study:
- To assess how town hall meetings improve communication between students and management.
- To evaluate the participation level of students in town hall meetings.
- To identify the challenges affecting the effectiveness of town hall meetings.
- To recommend strategies to improve student-management communication through town hall meetings.
(b) Completing the Percentage Column in the Table
| Category | Frequency | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Bi-Annually | 120 | 40% |
| Annually | 80 | 26.67% |
| Quarterly | 50 | 16.67% |
| Monthly | 50 | 16.67% |
| Total | 300 | 100% |
Percentage Calculation Formula: Percentage=(FrequencyTotal Frequency)×100\text{Percentage} = \left( \frac{\text{Frequency}}{\text{Total Frequency}} \right) \times 100
(c) Represent the information using a histogram
A histogram is a bar graph that shows the frequency of each category. You can draw a simple histogram with the X-axis labeled with time categories (Bi-Annually, Annually, Quarterly, Monthly) and the Y-axis showing percentages (0% to 50%).
(d) Interpretation of Data
- Bi-Annual meetings are the most common (40%), meaning most student-management engagements happen every six months.
- Annual meetings (26.67%) indicate that some interactions are held only once a year, which may be inadequate.
- Quarterly and monthly meetings (16.67% each) suggest that only a few meetings happen frequently.
Conclusion:
The data shows that students and management interact mainly on a bi-annual and annual basis, which may not be enough to address urgent issues. A more frequent approach (quarterly or monthly meetings) would enhance communication and problem resolution.