GlobalMedia: Intercultural Com: "The Ugly American" (U4-P6) [VID] Sp14

Counterproductive attitudes that Americans can have about people from other countries?*

• "Foreigners coming to live in the U.S. should adapt American ways."
• "Asians do many things backwards."
• "Much of the world’s population remains underdeveloped because they don’t take the initiative to develop themselves."
• "Americans have been very generous in teaching other people how to do things the right way."
• "English should be accepted as the universal language."

Q: Central theme in the counterproductive attitudes expressed above?
A: Ethnocentrism: a belief that your group's ways are the best ways.

Imagine a person working in development communication who heads into a development project abroad with the above attitudes. How would things work out?



The phrase "ugly American" comes, in part, from a 1958 novel about an American who travels abroad and expresses an ethnocentric attitude.  The novel was also made into a 1963 film staring Marlon Brando.




Now to another film.  How does Disney's Pocahontas fit into this discussion?

Do you spot the ethnocentric attitude from John Smith in this Pocahontas clip?
(If the video clip does not work, then the Disney's Pocahontas film can be found on sites like Netflix.  If you find the full film see the segment from about 35:45 to about 40:00.)



Given the similarity between Pocahontas and Avatar (see below), then you might explore the "ugly Earthling" aspects of Avatar.  Can you think of other related films?




* Of course, this could go the other way. People in other countries can have ethnocentric views toward the U.S. --  The ugly _____.



Share this post with others. See the Twitter, Facebook and other buttons below.
Please follow, add, friend or subscribe to help support this blog.
See more about me at my web site WilliamHartPhD.com.

ResearchMethods: Topics, RQs & H's: Research Questions & Hs (U3-P2) [VID] Sp14

Research question (RQ): "An interrogative statement exploring the relationship between two or more constructs [concepts, variables, etc.]" (Stewart, 2002, p. 173).

In short, is there a relationship between one variable and another?

In the past I asked students to offer research questions they had a serious interest in answering.  Do the student examples below fit the definition?  Any problems you spot with the examples?

• "Does visual stimuli, or auditory stimuli, in advertisements positively affect a consumers buying behavior, meaning will the consumer be inclined to buy if a stimulating message is communicated across one of the two communication channels."
• "Is there a positive (or a negative) relationship between the amount of violence communicated in cartoons?"
• "Is there an increase in female orgasms in relationships related to the increase in communication?"

What are the types of variables?

• A variable is any concept that takes on two or more values.
• Two types:
• Nominal: Categories
• e.g., gender, profession, race, nationality, etc.
• Ordered: Takes on numerical values
• e.g., age, IQ, a prejudice score, time in conversation, etc.

What's the difference you spot between nominal and ordered?

Note: We'll add other types later, but this will work for now.




Could you generate some RQs based on the variables listed under nominal and ordered?

More importantly, based on the research topic that you identified earlier, what are some possible RQs you could ask?

When thinking of media-oriented RQs make sure of the following:

• RQs are questions that can be answered using research methodologies. (Remember: Ways of knowing?)
• RQs are related to media.  At least one variable/concept should be related to media.

Now, that we've got a grasp on an RQ, what is exactly is an H?  They are related, right?

Hypothesis is a tentative statement about the relationship between two or more variable (the dependent and independent variables).
Null hypothesis is a statement that says there is no relationship between the research variables.

How are RQs and Hs similar?  How are they different?

Share this post with others. See the Twitter, Facebook and other buttons below.
Please follow, add, friend or subscribe to help support this blog.
See more about me at my web site WilliamHartPhD.com.

ResearchMethods: Topics, RQs & H's: Research Topics (U3-P1) [VID] Sp14

Media Research Topics

What media research topics do you find interesting?
Are they meaningful? Helpful?
What topic areas within media do you want to understand better?


What are the criteria for selecting research topics?

• Basic or Applied
• Scope
• Depth.

The importance of identifying and defining concepts relevant in research?

Let's say you are interested in humor in the media as a research topic.

Example: Developing conceptual definitions of humor
A possible conceptual definition of humor: “Messages that violate expectancies for the purpose of play.”

Watch a few comedians on Comedy Central see how the definition works or doesn't.

Or check out the video below.  Does humor help this video?  Does humor help make a video popular on Youtube.




Share this post with others. See the Twitter, Facebook and other buttons below.
Please follow, add, friend or subscribe to help support this blog.
See more about me at my web site WilliamHartPhD.com.

DigPhotog: Photo Composition (U2-P2) Fa13

Remember our bumper-sticker saying: "You don't take a photo, you make a photo"?

One of the best online sources for an introduction to photo composition can be found at
Photoinf.com

Let's take a look.

Of course, there is more to composition than the above, but the above are the basics.


To go beyond the above basics about composition, I'd recommend The Photographer's Eye: Composition and Design for Better Digital Photos

I'd especially recommend the section in the book Itten's contrasts.

For an online exercise using Itten's contrasts, see The 12 Days of Itten’s Contrasts from the Wild Beat blog.






Share this post with others. See the Twitter, Facebook and other buttons below.
Please follow, add, friend or subscribe to help support this blog.
See more about me at my web site WilliamHartPhD.com.

ResearchMethods: Textual Analysis (U10-P1) Sp13

We've discussed previously experiments and surveys as research methods.  Here's a third research method, a third way to answer some research questions.

In experiments you study subjects.  In surveys you study respondents.  What do you study in textual analysis?

What is textual analysis?

“A research method that uses measurement techniques to classify and evaluate the characteristics of spoken, written, artistic, and electronic documents”(FBFK).

What are the various types of texts analyzed in textual analysis? What is a text?

• Written --letters, diaries, transcriptions, books, tweets, newspaper articles, etc.
• Audio -- conversations, lyrics, etc.
• Visual -- paintings, photographs, architecture, etc.
• Broadcasts -- film scripts, news casts, etc.

Texts are the communication media which carry meaning.
Question: What is not a text?


Two important types of textual analysis: rhetorical criticism and content analysis relevant to mass media.

• Rhetorical Criticism
• “research involving description, analysis, interpretation, and evaluation of persuasive uses of communication”(FBFK).
• Note: We are not using the everyday definition of rhetoric.
• Content Analysis
• “a research technique for making inferences by systematically identifying specified characteristics in a text”(FBFK).

Some types of rhetorical criticism?

Types…

Photo by Kevin Rawlings.
Used under creative commons.

• classical rhetoric: focus on the oral persuasive acts in the context of government. Aristotelian in focus…ethos, pathos, logos, etc.
• Credibility, emotional appeal, evidence/reasoning
• Watch or listen to a famous speech.  How would you judge the rhetoric?  Was it persuasive?  Why?  How?
• contemporary rhetorical criticism: broader perspective -- includes verbal and nonverbal, face-to-face and mediated, not just politics

What is content analysis and how is it conducted?

Content Analysis
“a research technique for making inferences by systematically identifying specified characteristics in a text”(FBFK).

An example of a content analysis: "Dehumanizing the enemy in editorial cartoons" by Hart and Hassencahl

Steps in using this method…
1. Select text(s)
2. Unit of Analysis… e.g., words
3. Categories… put into nominal categories
4. Coding … analyze text
5. Summarize




Share this post with others. See the Twitter, Facebook and other buttons below.
Please follow, add, friend or subscribe to help support this blog.
See more about me at my web site WilliamHartPhD.com.

ResearchMethods: Surveys: Survey Questions or Items (U9-P2) Sp13

Photo by Robyn Lee.  Used under creative commons

A survey usually begins with some demographic questions or "items".  Since there are sometimes no questions marks, it would be best to refer to them as items.

Demographics questions/items:
“survey questions that inquire about respondents’ personal characteristics, such as name, age, gender, education”(FBFK).

What demographic questions do you ask?
Only ask demographics that will help you interpret results.  Careful with long surveys.  Why?




Once you are finished with your demographic questions, next you need to ask questions that help you answer your specific research question(s).  You need to ask questions that measure your independent and dependent variables.


What are the general types of questions (or “items”) that can appear on a survey?

• Knowledge items
• Attitude items
• Behavior items

With a survey you are usually measuring what a respondent knows, their likes or dislikes or some aspect of their past behaviors.

If you were writing a survey on social media use, what would be some examples questions/items you may put on your survey?  Knowledge?  Attitude?  Behavior?


Do you just have your respondents choose among some predetermined choices or do you leave them some space to respond in whatever why they choose?  Put another way, what are close-ended and open-ended survey questions?

• Closed-ended items
• Scales-- e.g., Likert scale
• Use stats to analyze responses to each item and stats to summarize findings
• Open-ended items
• Words-- Transcribe responses and use textual analysis to summarize findings

Once you have finished a draft of your survey questions, you'll need to go back and proof-read.  As you are checking spelling and grammar, also keep the following in mind.

What are some tips on wording survey items?

• Keep items short.
• Avoid loading or leading questions.
• “Don’t you think rich professors should be denied a pay raise?”
• Avoid double-barreled wording.
• “I support family values and prayer in school.”
• Avoid double negatives.
• “Do you never avoid conflict?”

Share this post with others. See the Twitter, Facebook and other buttons below.
Please follow, add, friend or subscribe to help support this blog.
See more about me at my web site WilliamHartPhD.com.

ResearchMethods: Surveys: What Are They And How To Do Them. (U9-P1) Sp13

What is a survey? 

A research method in which respondents representing a specific population are asked questions concerning their knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors (based on FBFK).

Scholarly use: e.g., correlational design.

• Why correlational and not causal?  

Types of applied use: e.g.,  political polls and market research (e.g., Nielsen)

What are the general steps in constructing and giving a survey?

1. Identify the purpose of the survey
1. What is the ultimate purpose of a survey in a research study?
2. Determine who to ask and what to ask.
3. Write survey
4. Give survey
1. Let participants know if there are any risks.
2. Let participants know their rights.
3. Right to not participate, to stop participating, etc.
4. Thank the participants.
5. Tally results
6. Report results

What information should be included on a survey (excluding survey questions)?

Title: A Study of Social Media Use by College Students
Who: Dr. Hart, Department of Mass Communications & Journalism
Where:  Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA
Any Questions: Send to Dr. Hart
Statement of Purpose:
This study seeks your opinion about methods courses for a research study. Your responses are anonymous.  Thank You.
Rights: In addition, if for whatever reason you do not feel comfortable responding to any or all items, please leave it(them) blank.

To be continued...

Share this post with others. See the Twitter, Facebook and other buttons below.
Please follow, add, friend or subscribe to help support this blog.
See more about me at my web site WilliamHartPhD.com.

ResearchMethods: Experiments: How to Design an Experiment (U8-P2) Sp13

Based on name alone, which do you think is the worst form of experimental design?  Why?

The diagrams in these slides explain how to do the different types of experimental designs.

Read these slides from left to right, starting with the random assignment of subjects into the treatment and control groups.  For each design, what are the steps after the random assignment?  That is, how do you do these types of experiments?

So, Post-test ONLY Control is a good design, but there is a problem.  Are we sure that the IV caused a change in the DV?  How would a pre-test help?

Again, this is a good experimental design.  However, there is a potential problem with this too.  Before the pre-test helped.  Now, the pre-test could be a problem.  How's it a problem?

How does the Solomon Four Group design help control for the possible influence of the pre-test?

The above designs are sub-types of full experiments with one independent variable.

However, what if you wanted to have more than on IV in your study?  How would you design an experiment for that?

Now, let's wrap up with a look at the "worst" designs.

Non-equivalent control group?

If these are the "worst" designs why we talking about them?  When would you use them?  Better than nothin'?

Which is better a quasi-experimental design or a pre-experimental design?  Why?  What standard are you using to judge whether one is "better" than another?

Speaking of experiments, catch the film reference in the last slide?


Share this post with others. See the Twitter, Facebook and other buttons below.
Please follow, add, friend or subscribe to help support this blog.
See more about me at my web site WilliamHartPhD.com.

DigPhotog: Becoming a Photo Doctor (Photo Editing, etc.) [VID] Sp13

Photo by Richard MasonerUsed under Creative Commons.

Let's get a little metaphorical.

Somebody who edits photos is a photo doctor.  A photo doctor diagnoses a photo and then prescribes a treatment for a photo disease.

For example, diagnose the photo to the right.  What's the problem with it?  What photo disease does it have?

It is underexposed.  Is that your diagnosis?  In your favorite photo editing software, how would you treat that disease?  A medical doctor uses a variety of tools to treat medical problems (e.g., a scalpel). As a photo doctor, what tools would you use?

As you begin your internship as a new photo doctor, I'd suggest you start with a small set of "diseases" that you can diagnose (recognize) and treat (fix) and a small set of tools to learn how to use.  As you progress as a photo doctor, become an expert in treating more diseases and learn how to use additional tools.

I'd suggest you start with a set of photo diseases like below and learn the 2-5 general steps that are usually  needed to treat the disease.

• Underexposed Photo (whole photo)
• Overexposed Photo (whole photo)
• Part of Photo Underexposed
• Part of Photo Overexposed
• Unwanted Elements in Photo
• e.g., See Photoshop tutorial for how to treat this disease.
• Distracting Background
• e.g., See Photoshop tutorial for how to treat this disease.
• Washed Out (Low Contrast) Photo (See the before photo below.)
• e.g., See how to treat "washed out" disease

Clipped from: digital-photography-school.com (share this clip)

For steps on how to treat the photo disease listed above and many more, see Digital Photo Doctor.   The book takes a similar metaphorical approach.  Check out the book.  You should be able to get it for $5 or less.

Of course, you could also do a YouTube search for helpful photo editing tutorials that deal with the disease you want to treat.



As a beginning photo doctor, you should also start learning how to use a small set of of photo editing tools and techniques. Here are some basic photo doctor tools and techniques that you'd need to treat the previously listed photo diseases.

• Crop Tool
• Levels
• Brush Tool
• Burn Tool
• Dodge Tool
• Clone Stamp Tool
• Selection Tool
• Layers
• Blur Effects

When learning how to treat the diseases and how to use the tools, I'd recommend that you learn how to use the tools at a general level so that you can move from one photo editing software to another.  Don't get to caught up in the key-strokes used in specific software (e.g., press Shft+Ctrl+U to desaturate in Photoshop).

Speaking of photo editing software, I'd recommend GIMP, a free photo editing software package that you download to your computer (see info video).  I'd also recommend Pixlr.com, a free, powerful, photo-editing site that allows you to edit photos right within your browser.   Go to Pixlr.com right now and try some the things discussed above.


Cosmetic Photo Surgery

The above discussion may leave the impression that the only thing you can do with photo editing tools is fix or treat photo diseases or problems (e.g., underexposure).  However, photo editing tools are not just used to treat a disease, but can also be used to “beautify” or modify the photo   You could think of this a cosmetic photo surgery.  You are not really fixing a problem with the photo, you are adding to it.

You could turn a color photo to black and white and then colorize only one item in the photo.



You could add unusual content to the photo (ghosts, UFOs, etc.).



Of course, there are tons of other interesting photo editing techniques you could learn.  Have fun adding to your cosmetic photo surgery skill set.



Share this post with others. See the Twitter, Facebook and other buttons below.
Please follow, add, friend or subscribe to help support this blog.
See more about me at my web site WilliamHartPhD.com.

GlobalMedia: Globalization: Is the World Flat? (U8-P3) [VID] Sp13

In 2005,  Thomas Friedman, a noted American journalist, wrote a book titled The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century.  There is a more recent edition The World Is Flat 3.0: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century

The book has had some influence.

What does Friedman mean about the world is flat?



What are the 3 eras of globalization according to Friedman?



How does this connect with our earlier coverage of globalization?


Is Friedman right?
Pankaj Ghemawat: Actually, the world isn't flat


Key terms: globalization, social media, anti-globalization movement,

What is globaloney?  How is Ghemawat using the term?
In this past this term referred to an unrealistic foreign policy or global outlook.  That fits Ghemawat's usage, but Ghemawat is more specific. How?





How does this connect with our earlier coverage of globalization?

If Ghemawat included data on film and television, what do you think he'd say?

If you are curious:
(1) "Why the World Isn't Flat" (in Foreign Policy) by Pankaj Ghemawat
(2) World 3.0: Global Prosperity and How to Achieve It by Ghemawat





Share this post with others. See the Twitter, Facebook and other buttons below.
Please follow, add, friend or subscribe to help support this blog.
See more about me at my web site WilliamHartPhD.com.

GlobalMedia: Social Media Important to Arab Spring Revolution? (U8-P2) [VID] Sp13

Other than helping individuals to communicate, what grander social role does the Internet play?


For example, the Internet can be used to speak to power and cause social change.  In the quote below McPhail notes the role blogs played in challenging power in 2002.

Quote originally taken from 2nd edition of Global Communication.

So, in the United States the Internet can be used to speak to power, but what about in other countries.  For the Internet to play a strong role, there would need to be a substantial amount of Internet users in a country.  What sort of growth is there for Internet use around the world?  According to McPhail (2nd edition),

Quote originally taken from 2nd edition of Global Communication.

The 3rd edition of McPhail has some interesting, updated numbers.  What changes do you note?

1. China, 298 million
2. U.S. 227 million
3. Japan, 94 million
4. India, 81 million
5. Brazil, 68 million.

Global Communication: Theories, Stakeholders, and Trends
(For slightly more updated Internet use stats see this site, if you're curious.)

So, Internet use is certainly on the rise around the world, more so in some countries than in others.

------

On the world stage, the Internet, specifically social media, has been credited with building revolutions in countries and bringing down dictators.

Take for example, protests in the former-Soviet republic of Moldova in 2009.  It was called "Moldova’s Twitter Revolution."

More recently though, when one thinks of social media and revolution, one thinks of the Arab Spring.  The Arab Spring is "a revolutionary wave of demonstrations and protests occurring in the Arab world that began on Saturday, 18 December 2010."


A Map of Arab Spring Countries

(Image used under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0,  image created by Kwamikagami)

Countries highlighted in black are countries in which the government was overthrown. From left to right the countries are Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and Yemen. Countries highlighted in other colors are countries in which some protesting occurred.


For a sense of the role social media played in Tunisia, see the following news clip.



What exactly did social media do Tunisia?  What was the role of social media?

Let's move from a specific example to a broader discussion about the role of social media has played in the Arab Spring.  Some say that social media is insignificant and others say social media play a few important roles in revolution.  What are both sides of the argument and what are the arguments on both sides.  Why, for example, would some say "no, social media doesn't play a role"?  To help answer these questions see the Zuckerman video below.

See specifically the presentation from 4:45 to 8:45 and the remainder if interested.


Note: Zuckerman is co-founded international blogging community Global Voices. Check it out of you are interested.




If you're curious and want to learn more about social media and revolution, check out
Revolution 2.0: The Power of the People Is Greater Than the People in Power: A Memoir








Share this post with others. See the Twitter, Facebook and other buttons below.
Please follow, add, friend or subscribe to help support this blog.
See more about me at my web site WilliamHartPhD.com.

GlobalMedia: Internet Basics (U8-P1) [VID] Sp13

Some basics:

What is the Internet?



Think of the Internet as the hardware and the World Wide Web as the software that runs on the Internet.  The Web is not the hardware.  It is collection of interconnected web pages that exist on the Internet.

Now, how did the Internet evolve as a medium of communication from email in the late '60 and early '70s to the web-based communication tools that we have today?




Update to Zuckerman video:

If we can think of the 1990s as the decade of the World Wide Web (web pages, blogs, etc.), we can think of 2000-2010 as the decade of social media.  The decade got off to a slow start, but by...

• 2004: Facebook founded.
• 2005: YouTube founded. Note the strong social/sharing aspect of YT.
• 2006: Twitter founded.
• etc.

Now, with an explanation of how the Internet works and how it evolved as a communication tool (e.g. social media), let's look how the Internet plays an important role in global communication (see next post).

Share this post with others. See the Twitter, Facebook and other buttons below.
Please follow, add, friend or subscribe to help support this blog.
See more about me at my web site WilliamHartPhD.com.

GlobalMedia: International Public Relations: Case Study of U.S. Military Image in Afghanistan (U7-P4)

A case study is a method of teaching in which students are presented with a problematic scenario or case.  A case is an example or illustration of a problem or challenge.

Case studies are some times used in law classes and some times in public relations classes, for example.

After an international case is presented there is a common method used in PR courses.

1. Define/describe the PR problem.
2. Give ways for addressing or solving this problem.
3. List resources needed for implementing solution(s).
4. Give a timetable for implementation.
5. State expected impact of solution.
6. How did you use intercultural skills?

Intercultural skills to keep in mind when working through the international P.R. case

• Be mindful
• Be thoughtful, aware of differences
• Be patience
• It may be difficult at first
• Be open-minded
• Consider other ways of doing things, other views
• Be tolerance of ambiguity
• Things may not make sense. Be comfortable with uncertainty

Now, let's do a case or three.
Check out the following news videos about three back-to-back incidents between the U.S. military and the people of Afghanistan in early 2012.  As you are watching these, starting thinking about the above info.  What would you do to rebuild a better relationship between the U.S. military and the people of Afghanistan?


Pentagon denounces Marine urination video (CBS Evening News - Jan. 2012)


Quran Burning Sparks Angry Afghan Protest (Associated Press - Feb. 2012)


Afghan Massacre: Video From Shooting Scene (ABC Evening News - Mar. 2012)




What would you do to rebuild a better relationship between the U.S. military and the people of Afghanistan?

Also, now go through the method given above (i.e., 1. Define/describe the P.R. problem, etc.).  Also don't forget to think about how you'd use your intercultural skills in doing this P.R. work.

Share this post with others. See the Twitter, Facebook and other buttons below.
Please follow, add, friend or subscribe to help support this blog.
See more about me at my web site WilliamHartPhD.com.

GlobalMedia: Doing Some P.R. Work for the U.S. State Department (U7-P3) Sp13

Let's pretend that we are doing some public relations/advertising work for the U.S. State Department.  They want us to (1) promote a good image of the U.S. abroad and (2) promote tourism to the U.S.

What could we do?  How would we do that?

Where would we do that?  Let's say we focus on places where people first have contact with the U.S., in airports and in U.S embassies abroad.

As for the what, how about we put together a short video to be shown in the airports and embassies.

Think very carefully about what you would be in that video and why.

No, no.  Don't read on.  Seriously, think about what you'd put in the video and why.

O.K., now read on.
---

This above scenario actually played out few years back.  It actually happened.  Let's see how your ideas match up with those actually carried out.  Let's look at a series of videos.

A CNN News Report



The Actual Video Shown in Airports and Embassies
(See at least the first minute and the last minute to get a good feel for the video.)


The Making of the Portraits of America Video


Do you think this "Portraits of America" video was effective, based upon what you've see above?
Would you have done anything differently?



Share this post with others. See the Twitter, Facebook and other buttons below.
Please follow, add, friend or subscribe to help support this blog.
See more about me at my web site WilliamHartPhD.com.

GlobalMedia: International Advertising & Public Relations: Campaigns & Culture (U7-P2) Sp13

A campaign is “an operation or series of operations energetically pursued to accomplish a purpose: an advertising campaign for a new product; a candidate's political campaign” (American Heritage Dictionary)

An advertising campaign for a certain new product could contain a "series of operations" like

• putting out press releases to the news media,
• putting ads in newspapers and
• posting a viral video on YouTube about the new product.

The purpose of all these "operations" is to encourage purchase of the product.

Now, what about going global?


According to McPhail,
"There are three strategic models for planning global campaigns: standardized, adaptive, and country-specific.  In the standardized model, strategy is formed at the global headquarters and implemented in all operating areas [same or very similar in all countries].  In the adaptive model, a basic strategy [given from head-quarters] is adapted appropriately for each country where it will be implemented.  In a country-specific model, the strategic planning is shaped to fit one country [,more grass-roots]" (Global Communication: Theories, Stakeholders, and Trends)


Let's say we are doing advertising for the multinational corporation, McDonald's.  As part of the campaign that we are managing, they want 30 second TV ads for their new salads.  They want to sell salads (or localized versions of salads) around the world in many different countries.  Using each of the above models, how would this be done?  See any benefits or drawbacks to each approach?  What about in terms of costs and effectiveness?



Share this post with others. See the Twitter, Facebook and other buttons below.
Please follow, add, friend or subscribe to help support this blog.
See more about me at my web site WilliamHartPhD.com.

GlobalMedia: International Advertising & PR (U7-P1) Sp13

Advertising and public relations are playing an increasing role in international communication.  They've certainly gone global.

Let's start with some basic dictionary definitions.

Advertising: “The activity of attracting public attention to a product or business, as by paid announcements in the print, broadcast, or electronic media” (The American Heritage Dictionary).

Public Relations (P.R.): “The methods and activities employed to establish and promote a favorable relationship with the public” (The American Heritage Dictionary).

The basic dictionary definitions need a little modifying.

• Add to the advertising definition, the key purpose of advertising: to persuade people to purchase.  "Attraction public attention" is a good first step, but not the ultimate goal.
• Add to the P.R. definition, the idea of establishing, promoting and maintaining a relationship.  Secondly, add an "s" to the end of public.  What are the key publics that a company needs to have a good relationship with?  Externally: the government/law makers, other companies, customers, the media, etc. Internally: investors, employees, etc.

If you are curious, checkout some more online definitions of advertising and public relations.


With some basics out of the way, let's go global with advertising and P.R.


In his book, Global Communication: Theories, Stakeholders, and Trends, Thomas McPhail offers three key reasons why there has been a growth in international advertising and P.R.  Why has advertising and public relations gone global?

"1. Corporations themselves are going increasingly global and taking their advertising agencies with them.  This includes communication corporations as well as other sectors such as transportation, food, beverages, natural resources, credit cards, etc.
2. As multimedia outlets -- from privatized radio and television networks in Europe to new media and print outlets in Latin America -- expand, they require successful advertising campaigns in order to generate the revenues and attract new customers necessary to succeed as viable commercial enterprises.
3. The growth of satellite-delivered broadcasting channels, along with a rapid expansion of cable systems and networks, have in turn generated demand for increased use of advertising agencies in order to develop a sufficient customer base for either the new services themselves, or the problems they advertise."

Note that the first reason focuses on general companies, the second reason focuses on media companies that provide content and the third reason focuses on the media hardware companies.


In their book, Global Journalism: Topical Issues and Media Systems (4th Edition), de Beer and Merrill offer their own explanation for the expansion of international advertising and public relations.

Why the expansion?

• Financial businesses, etc.
• Economically connected
• In short, business is global
• Issues management & crisis management
• Crises spread quickly on the ‘Net nowadays.
• Some crises, like environmental and financial crises, easily cross borders.
• In short, many issues/crises are global

In short, P.R. and advertising have to go global.

Share this post with others. See the Twitter, Facebook and other buttons below.
Please follow, add, friend or subscribe to help support this blog.
See more about me at my web site WilliamHartPhD.com.

DigPhotog: Controlling Light: What is HDR photography and what is it good for? [VID] Sp13

What does HDR stand for? What is a HDR photo? What type of photography is HDR good for?  What apps (software) are needed?

How To: HDR photography for iPhone and Android (CNETTV)


What is bracketing and what does it have to do with HDR photos?


Secrets of Amazing HDR Photography (revision3)
See the first 5 minutes or so.  Save the remaining for later when we discuss photo editing.


Check out some fine HDR photos at BlametheMonkey.com.  When looking at the photos on this site slide the vertical line back and forth to see the standard version of the photo vs. the HDR version.  What preferences do you have?  Do you like HDR photos?  Pros and cons of HDR?


Quick HDR Landscape Tutorial
Play from 0:00 to 2:15.  Save the remaining for later when we discuss photo editing.


What is spot metering and what does it have to do with HDR photography?


Share this post with others. See the Twitter, Facebook and other buttons below.
Please follow, add, friend or subscribe to help support this blog.
See more about me at my web site WilliamHartPhD.com.

DigPhotog: Photography Apps for Smartphones and Tablets [VID] Sp13

Much of photography, at least for the everyday user, has moved to mobile devices -- the iPhone, the Android phone, the iPad, etc.

On these devices there are a variety of apps.  Here are the few apps I would recommend for now.  All apps mentioned are available on both iOS and Android.

1. Flickr - "an image hosting and video hosting website, web services suite, and online community" (Wikipedia).

New Flickr App For iOS Hands On Review (Engadget)



2. Instagram - "an online photo-sharing and social networking service that enables its users to take pictures, apply digital filters to them, and share them on a variety of social networking services, such as media sites including Facebook or Twitter" (Wikipedia).

CNET How To: Creative ways to use Instagram (CNETTV)




3. Pro-HDR - an app that allows you to take HDR photos.

Pro HDR App Tutorial on iPhone 4 (with Example Images!)


Note: Try the free version first.  A free version is available on both iOS and Android.


4. Photoshop Express - photo editing app for mobile devices

More on this when when talk about photo editing, but you might want try it out now.



Share this post with others. See the Twitter, Facebook and other buttons below.
Please follow, add, friend or subscribe to help support this blog.
See more about me at my web site WilliamHartPhD.com.

ResearchMethods: Experiments: What is an Experiment? (U8-P1) Sp13

Play the first minute or so.



When you think of a person doing science, doing research, doing an experiment, what images pop into your mind?

Has movies and television shaped your view of science and of experiments?  
Hey, I feel a research question coming on.  We could research that.

If it is not the Frankenstein movies that have shaped your image of scientists doing experiments, what movies or television shows have?




An experiment is a research methodology for determining the causal effects of one or more independent variables on a dependent variable, while controlling for all intervening variables.

Experiments are only one of the possible research methodologies you could use to answer your research questions.  Surveys and interviews, for example, are other research methodologies.  There are benefits and drawbacks when considering which research method to use to answer a research question.  What are some benefits that experiments have, but surveys do not?  What is it that experiments can do, that surveys cannot?


What is meant by causal relationship or causal effect?
Or put another way, to be able to say one thing caused another, what would need to be true?

1. Independent variable comes before the dependent variable.
2. Independent and dependent variables are meaningfully related.
3. Changes in DV must be the result of changes in IV (and not anything else)

Correlation vs. Causality: Freakonomics Movie

If you are interested, check out "Correlation and Causality (Khan Academy - YouTube)".

Correlation or Causation? (Some headlines)
Correlation vs. Causation (NYT)



What is experimental control?
The ability to rule out alternative explanations for the results, controlling for all intervening variables.
You want the IV to be the only thing causing an change in the DV.

In real estate it is location, location, location.
In experiments, it is control, control, control.

How can experimental control be enhanced?

• Minimize internal validity threats.
• Controlled exposure of IV(s) to participants by using  treatment and control groups.
• Random assignment of participants to treatment and control groups.

Compare experimental control in the lab vs. field study.

• In lab, can more easily manipulate IV.
• In lab, can randomly assign participants TR and C groups
• In lab, can control extraneous variables.
• In field, max external validity

Share this post with others. See the Twitter, Facebook and other buttons below.
Please follow, add, friend or subscribe to help support this blog.
See more about me at my web site WilliamHartPhD.com.

ResearchMethods: Research Ethics: Ethics Questions a Researcher Should Ask (U7-P2) Sp13

What is a series of ethics questions a researcher should ask?

• 1. To research or not to research?
• 2. If O.K. to study, then what should I study?
• 3. When researching people--what about…?
• Privacy rights
• Anonymity - can’t connect responses to respondent
• Confidentiality - promise not to reveal
• Free choice
• Informed consent
• Briefing/Debriefing - clear up any deception
• Respect - e.g. sexism, racism
• Compensation
• Manus manum lavat = “one hand washes the other”
• 4. When analyzing data--
• Careful data handing
• Careful data analysis
• 5. When reporting data--
• Keep data and make data available, if asked.
• 6. Using results
• Consider the effects of research on those who use the results or are affected by them.

A Test: Some Cases: What is Ethics in Research & Why is it Important?


Share this post with others. See the Twitter, Facebook and other buttons below.
Please follow, add, friend or subscribe to help support this blog.
See more about me at my web site WilliamHartPhD.com.