Communication Commons^™

A Study To Research The Feasibility Of Establishing A Southern New Jersey Chapter Of The Public Relations Society Of America, Joanna F. Bruschi

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to research the feasibility of establishing a southern New Jersey chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).

Some major findings included: (a) more than fifteen southern New Jersey members of PRSA are interested in joining a southern New Jersey chapter; (b) more than thirty public relations practitioners, not holding membership in PRSA, are interested in joining a southern New Jersey chapter of PRSA.

The findings of the author's survey concluded that establishing a southern New Jersey chapter of PRSA is feasible.

Persuasion Theories In The Practice Of Public Relations In The 1990'S, Susan E. Owens

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to present ways in which persuasion theories are currently used in public relations and how persuasion theories could be used in public relations. Some public relations textbooks devote a chapter or section to persuasion theories and how they relate to public relations. The public relations practitioner needed a publication that expanded on these theories and provided cases of how they are used in public relations today.

To research persuasion theories and current application of them, current textbooks and periodicals were reviewed at several libraries. The searches at Rowan College, Richard Stockton College and Ocean …

Christian Conservative Bias In Newspaper Print: A Content Analysis, Ted Christian

Theses and Dissertations

The major purpose of this study was to analyze the content from six major U.S. newspapers regarding their coverage of Christian Conservatives. The newspapers chosen for the study were the: New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Washington Times and Atlanta Journal and Constitution.

Articles from these newspapers from June 1993 through July 1994 were analyzed for their bias against Christian Conservatives or lack thereof. Samples were selected from the newspapers during the time frame chosen when one or more of the following five descriptors appeared in the newspaper text: Christian …

The New Logic Of Hypertext: Electronic Documents, Literary Theory, And Air Force Publications, Gordon G. Geison

Theses and Dissertations

Hypertext systems offer electronic links that can instantly join related documents with the click of a mouse. Some observers predict that in the next few years hypertext will become the predominate technology of communication. Such a revolutionary transformation of our culture's basic system for sharing information is bound to have a profound and wide-ranging impact. At this early stage in hypertext's evolutionary development, no empirical study can be expected to capture the long-term implications of this new technology. An exploratory survey was distributed to 100 large corporations to gather their initial assessment of the revolutionary implications of hypertext. The results …

Air Force Media Use And Conformance With Media Richness Theory: Implications For E-Mail Use And Policy, Heather L. Adams

Theses and Dissertations

Communication has become a major aspect of a manager's job. When communicating, they are faced with many choices of what media to use - some include face-to-face, telephone, e-mail, or written. Managerial effectiveness can improve if managers make appropriate media choices. Thus, it is important to study how Air Force managers perceive media and what kind of choices they are making based on those perceptions. Media Richness Theory suggests that media choices are affected by content reasons, situational reasons, and symbolic reasons. This study examined Air Force managers and found they conform highly with Media Richness Theory in their media …

Converting Publications In The Air Force To Sgml: A Recommendation Based On Commercial Experience, Shari T. Miles

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this research was to determine those benefits of SGML that the Air Force can use in its publications process and to determine if benchmarking can improve the Air Force's migration to an electronic publishing environment. To accomplish this, the author completed an exploratory, qualitative study which defined the components and benefits of SGML and the benchmarking application and process. The qualitative techniques for this research included a literature review and questionnaire. The literature review covered both SGML and benchmarking. The questionnaire was an exploratory instrument that was sent to 60 commercial enterprises. The results of the questionnaire …

Whose Information Is It Anyway? An Argument For Information Stewardship, Trevor W. Plant

Theses and Dissertations

Information is an important resource for businesses and government, with information quality influencing decision quality, and highlighting our need to manage our information well: as a resource. Information Resource Management (IRM) has as its goal the management of information as a resource, but has not been implemented with the level of success expected. Problems with the implementation of IRM are indicated by the presence of redundant or inconsistent data, inability to share information across systems, and difficulty finding the information on systems. We propose that these difficulties are related to behaviours linked to perceived ownership of corporate information by organisational …

Automated Document Conversion: A Manager's Perspective, Fredrick W. Knaak Iii

Theses and Dissertations

Technological advances in our workplaces have made electronic documents pervasive throughout the USAF, DoD, and civilian world. Managers are recognizing the need to establish electronic document management systems to handle these diverse forms of documents. Unfortunately, they have been faced with essentially "reinventing the wheel," when it comes to determining which types of paper-based documents are best suited to conversion to an electronic format. There is also a lack of clearly identifiable cost factors associated with automated document conversion (ADC) for managers to use when conducting an economic analysis of a potential imaging application. This thesis addresses the problem of …

Guidelines For College And University Publications Directors On Building Effective Partnerships With Printers And Graphic Designers, Susan L. Enzman

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis project was to compose guidelines to help facilitate communication and understanding between graphic designers and printers as they work together to service higher education publication offices.

A review of previous research pertinent to this study was conducted. Original research was undertaken in the form of a mail survey distributed to 100 publication directors/managers at four year colleges and universities throughout the country.

The survey was used to determine how various publications offices operate and to elicit suggestions publication directors/managers have for working effectively with graphic designers and printers.

The core of this project was the …

Effective Motivation Of Front-Line Employees, Regina M. Audio

Theses and Dissertations

Motivating front-line employees to perform at optimum levels is a challenge for managers and business owners. Non-management employees from Southern New Jersey for-profit and non-profit companies responded to a survey to offer comments as to which of six specific types of motivational phrases would best motivate them to perform optimally in common workplace situations involving: quality, teamwork, personal responsibility to organizational policy and procedure, initiative, and customer service issues. Participants considered top performers by their managers were asked to choose which phrase would best motivate them in each situation in an attempt to identify which phrases are most effective in …

A Study Of The Implications Of The Internet Upon Two-Way Symmetric Communication In Public Relations, Tarek M. El-Kharboutly

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examined the implications and ramifications of the advent of online communication technologies, such as the Internet, on the profession of public relations.

As brokers of information, public relations professionals must adapt to and incorporate online tools into their arsenals. As the consumer public takes to the Internet in search of information, the Internet provides a means by which organizations can gauge which issues are of concern. It is the only alternative to falling out of touch with a restless consumer public that demands ever-higher levels of customer service.

The author presented a case study of the Pentium microprocessor …

A Study Of Public Relations Practice In The Tobacco Industry: Misuse And Social Responsibility, Andrew M. Casper

Theses and Dissertations

The study's major purpose was to improve the quality and reputation of public relations practice in private industry. The study examined needed improvements m public relations by focusing on the ineffectual and negative practices of the tobacco industry, Also, the study reviewed public and media perceptions of tobacco companies.

The research involved telephone inquiries, information from not-for-profit organizations, and a review of 108 publications using the headings, "Public Relations" and "Tobacco Industry."

Other research included an opinion survey administered to 100 undergraduate students at Rowan College of New Jersey.

Survey results found that a majority of students, smokers, and nonsmokers …

A Study Of Meeting Planners' Tactics To Market Conferences, Seminars, And Workshops, Erika March

Theses and Dissertations

This study identified, through secondary research and a written survey, methods to effectively market meetings. The research found patterns in the areas of Communication, Direct Mail, Program Planning, Feedback/Evaluation, and Follow-up. These research areas were used in forming the structure of the survey questions.

The meeting planning survey was sent to 17 meeting planners who were chosen based on a June 1995 ranking in Meeting News as "The 25 Most Influential People in the Meetings Industry." The 25 represent different types of planners in different industries. These planners were surveyed to obtain marketing ideas from the top meeting planners in …

A Public Relations Plan For The New Jersey Association Of Family And Consumer Sciences Regarding The Association Name Change And Its Impact On The Profession, Linda A. Strieter

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this project was to create a public relations plan to help promote wide acceptance of the name change, Association of Family and Consumer Sciences and a better understanding of the profession's future in New Jersey among its members. For non-Association members, awareness of the name change and its ramifications are the goals.

A scientific random survey of approximately 10 percent of Association members in November 1995 revealed an almost equal split in opinion about the name change among those questioned.

When most of the membership understands the benefits of the name change, the feeling will become more …

Perceptions Of Coherence And Usability In Environmental Impact Documents As Functions Of Visual And Linguistic Cues, Ronald B. Shankland

Theses and Dissertations

Environmental impact statements (EISs) are prepared so decision makers can consider the potential environmental impacts of a proposed action. The National Environmental Policy Act mandates that EISs be clear, concise, and to the point so decision makers and the lay public can understand them, however, several authors assert these documents do not meet this requirement. To examine the usability of EISs, a 1994 AFIT GEEM student, Jill A. Easterly, altered visual and linguistic discourse elements in portions of sample ElSs and then a pool of readers answered objective questions about passages from these EISs. Easterly measured the effect of presence …

An Investigation Of A Usaf Information Resource Management Community World Wide Web Site, Kristin A. Waldner

Theses and Dissertations

This research project investigated establishing a World Wide Web (WWW) site dedicated to the United States Air Force Information Resource Management (IRM) community. The project determined guidelines for successful, appropriate format and content for such a site. To discover what benefits the IRM community might achieve, the project explored those benefits achieved or expected to be achieved by the business community and by government agencies with established WWW sites. The project also attempted to define an average profile of active duty IRM community Internet and WWW users. The above objectives were accomplished through a literature review and through the use …

A Solid Surface From Which To Explore: The Executive Summary As The Frontispiece Of A Technical Hyperdocument, Alicia M. Williams

Theses and Dissertations

This research analyzes the purpose and organization of a well-written executive summary, reviews the characteristics of hypermedia, and compares the strengths and weaknesses of a typical executive summary published originally on paper and now under consideration for transition to hypermedia in order to determine which elements of an executive summary are essential before effective transition to hypermedia. The executive summary of a technical report is a stand-alone description of what was done, how it was done, what the results were, why they matter, and where further information is found in the report body. Executive summaries have a wider audience than …

Multimedia And Audience: Implications For Executive Summaries, Donna M. Grudziecki

Theses and Dissertations

In an effort to put technical reports into a multimedia format, this thesis explored audience analysis and multimedia issues related to executive summaries. While multimedia has been shown to be effective at conveying complex information in certain environments, little research has been done to apply this technology to technical reporting. This thesis concentrates on the executive summary audience because the executive summary is the most read and most important section of a report. To analyze the audience, I conducted telephone interviews with report readers using an interview form I developed based on Mathes and Stevenson's guidelines for conducting an audience …

A Study Of The Best Messages, Channels And Audiences To Increase Vocations To The Catholic Diocesan Priesthood, Martin R. Coppola

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the best messages, channels and audiences to increase vocations to the Catholic diocesan priesthood. The study sought to determine the best messages, channels for those messages and audiences to receive those messages in an effort to increase vocations to the Catholic diocesan priesthood.

In addition to providing a demographic profile of priests, seminarians and men considering a vocation from three different dioceses across the country, the study sought to determine general information on the messages and channels that had influenced men who are already priests, seminarians and considering a vocation.

This non-probability …

A Study Of The Practices Of Successful Alumni Associations, Maggie Wilt

Theses and Dissertations

This study identified through secondary research the criteria necessary to operate a successful alumni association. Successful in this context refers to the ability to get alumni involved in the association and to maintain their interest and support.

This secondary research uncovered six areas of alumni association management. These criteria are: career development, techniques of communication, alumni gatherings, alumni benefits and bonuses, management and resources and special interest groups. These were applied to the primary research by forming the structure of the alumni association survey.

The alumni association survey involved contacting 16 alumni directors whose organizations have high involvement rates and …

A Study Of Computer On-Line Regulation: Advertising, Copyright, Free Speech, Libel And Privacy, Frances Josephsen

Theses and Dissertations

This research project concerned identifying and detailing current and needed laws governing on-line communication.

Through a representative literature review, the author compiled a list of industry leaders for interview via electronic mail.

The author surveyed 35 individuals to gather public opinion on the following areas: advertising, copyright, free speech, libel and privacy. The author looked for general opinions and attitudes.

The author analyzed the content of each response using simple frequencies and searched for commonalities within the survey sample responses.

The study identifies public opinion regarding current on-line communication policy. However, answers and recommendations concerning on-line law were not found. …

A Communication Plan To Make Historical Societies More Visible And More Accessible To The General Public, Margaret L. Peters

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis presents a communication plan to make historical societies more visible and more accessible to the public. A two-way communication system creates a bond between historical societies, community members, and school districts. This plan gives methods and materials to connect historical societies with the public. It also addresses attracting new members or volunteers and increasing financial resources.

The communication plan consists of four objectives that reach the goal of raising the profiles of historical societies. These objectives and their strategies provide methods and materials to make them more visible in the communities, to connect them to the local school …

Personality Traits Of Effective Communicators: A Study Of Chairpersons And Faculty At Rowan College Of New Jersey, Karen L. Heiser

Theses and Dissertations

This study determines chairpersons' personality traits and their effect on communications with faculty. The Mvers-Brigs Type Indicator was given to seven chairpersons (three female; four male) within Rowan College of New Jersey. The responses were tabulated by hand. The results were mailed to participants. The author requested faculty to choose chairpersons' personality characteristics and rate the effectiveness of the two-way communication between them and their chairpersons. The data were analyzed using a statistical software package (SPSS). The study revealed that 13 faculty rated their chairpersons as "very good" two-way communicators; eight faculty rated their chairpersons as "good" two-way communicators; three …

A Study Of Hospital Alumni Membership And Its Effect On Donor Giving, Linda Michael

Theses and Dissertations

This study profiled Cooper Hospital/University Medical Center's Baby Alumni Society to determine whether members are likely prospects for financial support. Established in 1980 by The Cooper Foundation, the fund-raising arm of the hospital, the Baby Alumni Society consists of 6,500 members who range in age from infancy to senior citizens.

To determine alumni attitudes and opinions about the institution, a questionnaire was conducted. Participants were selected using the systematic random sampling method. Of the five hundred questionnaires mailed, eighty-five were returned. Overall, respondents were pleased with the publication Baby News and wanted to continue receiving it. Members also expressed an …

Intergenerational Programs In The Public Schools, Marguerite F. Maines

Theses and Dissertations

The major purpose of this study was to research intergenerational programs in the public schools. The research was undertaken to establish whether intergenerational programs improve community attitudes and benefit the school systems that provide these programs. A broad base literature search and a database search were conducted. Numerous letters were written to school systems, state and county agencies, volunteer groups, and senior citizen groups that have instituted programs. The responses collected resulted in a compilation of successful programs that can be used by superintendents, community coordinators, and school public relations directors.

Several major conclusions were drawn from this study. Activities …

A Handbook For First-Year Teachers Dealing With Parental Communication, Connie Nowosacki

Theses and Dissertations

This study was conducted to create a handbook beneficial to teachers in dealing with parental communication. A review of the research yielded a wide range of practices that teachers can use to involve parents.

These practices can particularly help the first-year teacher communicate effectively to gain support needed for academic, discipline, and homework efforts.

An instrument was devised asking respondents to rank in order of importance ten of the most common topics and activities used in teacher-parent communication. Responses were arranged according to Very Important, Important, or Not Important. The list was sent to five public relations experts nationwide and …

Using School Foundations As A Public Relations Tool To Market Schools To The Community, Linda Y. Sherry

Theses and Dissertations

This study shows how school foundations, created by local school districts to raise additional revenue to supplement their tax-based funding for educational programs and projects, generate benefits beyond the fund-raising aspect.

Existing research was compiled and reviewed to explore what school foundations are, why school districts have foundations, what the extra benefits of foundations are, why foundations are helpful in fund-raising, and what impact foundations have at the polls. Telephone interviews with various experts in the field of school foundations as well as school districts with foundations in place provided further relevant information on guiding principles, keys to success, and …

A Public Relations Plan For A Merger Between South Jersey Hospital System And Elmer Community Hospital, Kristine M. Simoes

Theses and Dissertations

South Jersey Hospital System and Elmer Community Hospital are merging to consolidate services and staff and help the hospitals to operate more cost effectively.

The two institutions want an informational public relations plan to help present this merger to the residents of Cumberland and Salem counties to increase community awareness and understanding.

A public relations plan was established by the hospitals' administrations. Steering committee members received assistance from the New Jersey Hospital Association and the American Hospital Association for information on previous hospital merger efforts and spent three months in its preparation.

This effort will attempt to keep community, staff …

How The New Jersey State Aquarium Was Promoted, Beth J. Rose

Theses and Dissertations

This study determines how public relations was used to promote the New Jersey State Aquarium to persuade a skeptical public to overcome their hesitancy to come to Camden to visit the facility.

During its first year of operation, the New Jersey State Aquarium attracted more than one (1) million visitors, surpassing its projected goal.

The public relations plan was analyzed in nine different categories. The strategies included marketing, public relations, creativity, media, promotional membership, pricing, facility rental and group sales. The public relations campaign strategies included magazines, billboards, radio, television and a pre-opening press preview. The target market for each …

A Qualitative Study Of Interpretive Communities Among Lds Women, Oleah Clegg

Theses and Dissertations

Recent studies have shown that a number of researchers have turned to the concept of the interpretive community to explain how audiences interpret the media within the context of their everyday experiences (Biocca, 1989; Gunter, 1989; Lindlof, 1989, 1992; Radway, 1984; Schrøder, 1994). D. A. Stout (1993) conducted a study that discovered three interpretive communities among LDS women who watch television, establishing that interpretive communities do exist among religious media audiences.

In 1994, K. Schrøder showed that the interpretive community can be further understood by taking a "social semiotic" approach to analyzing interpretive community members' social interaction with other communities. …