Need Help Writing Survey Questions?

You'll find a variety of good resources on the Worldwide Web.

Here are several articles and reference sites that I recommend:

How to write a good survey

Designing Surveys That Count

Constructing The Survey

How to Write a Survey or Questionnaire

How To Write A Pitch That Will Get Your Emails Read And Not Deleted

Thanks to MCM 201 student Haya Alhomaizi for this excellent article about how you can write effective email pitches. While the article provides 13 suggestions for writing a pitch that will get a journalist's attention, you can use these techniques for your survey pitches, too!

The article makes a good point about not mass distributing an email . . . it's better to personalize each email. However, in your case you will send your pitch to your personal email database of GUST students, so you don't have to personalize the pitch. You should, however, write a pitch that sounds like you so that when your friends read it they know it came from you. In other words, if you're normally informal with your friends when you send an email then your pitch should be informal. However, I do want it to include correct spelling, grammar and punctuation!

Read the article and thank Haya for bringing it to our attention!

Finalizing Online Surveys And Proceeding To The Next Steps

Surprise, it's a holiday!

Fortunately, at least two of five groups (3 female and 2 male) are continuing to work through the holiday and have sent me the links to their updated surveys. I have already responded to them with feedback.

Subtle note to other groups: If you have updated your survey in the last 48 hours and want me to take a look, let me know. If you have not updated your survey in the last 48 hours, when will you? Let me know so I can provide my usual thorough (though sometimes overly critical) feedback.

At this point, you should have created an online survey that includes:

1. A good title (that means it begins with an active verb)
2. A brief introduction that explains the what and why of your survey
3. At least 6 good questions.

Originally I had said to keep your questions to 6 but I have modified the number. I'm happy to allow you to decide how many questions you should ask. Be sure it's a reasonable number!

Next steps
When we meet again, Tuesday 1 March, I want to see completed surveys. In other words, you've worked out the rough edges of your survey and it's ready to go live.

But not so fast. We won't go live on Tuesday, but possibly by Thursday.

Before we finalize the surveys, I want you to think about the questions, and especially the answers you are likely to collect. If you were the client -- in this case, GUST PR, charged with publishing GUST Times -- would you be satisfied with your Team's end product?

Is the survey probing for the right information? Will the answers provide useful data to the client? Or will the client wonder: "Why didn't they ask this question, or that question?" Are you asking the right questions? Remember: The client is looking for useful data that will help her make good decisions about improving her product, the GUST Times.

What could you have asked that you're not yet planning to ask? Think about it. Discuss it. Make sure you will be proud of your data collection. Ultimately, you want the client to use your services again, and to promote you to other potential clients!

Getting results
Once your survey has been finalized, your Team must now think about how you are going to get at least 50, and ideally close to 100, students to respond to your online survey.

Each of you will write an email "pitch" . . . in other words, a brief message that you will send to your own database of students at GUST. The purpose of the "pitch" is to motivate the students to respond to the survey. Each Team member will email his/her "pitch" to respective Team members, with a copy to me. We'll then critique the "pitches" and select three to send to the databases over a period of time.

If you don't have an email database of GUST students -- develop one! Ask at least ten students for their email address and explain why -- you will be contacting them to ask them to complete a survey to help you get an A in MCM 206!

More to come!

Good Critiques from Assignment #1 . . . Average Grade: A-!

Good job critiquing the email marketing video presentation . . . the average grade for this assignment: A-.

Many students thoughtfully analyzed the online presentation and developed good suggestions for making improvements. Most students said they would recommend this video for others to watch, but some said it was too boring!

Most all students grabbed the main messages from the online presentation and learned some basics about email marketing.

I particularly enjoyed the overall good use of Basic English! Please be cautious -- don't let your writing get sloppy, and don't forget to check for "agreement," i.e. singular nouns require singular verbs, plural nouns require plural verbs, etc.

To help you improve going forward, I've attached two sample critiques for your review. Both were well done . . . pay attention to the style of these writers.

Assignment # 2: Email Campaign with Survey

Work with your team!

Develop a survey (using surveymonkey.com) to poll students about some aspect/s of the GUST Times. Survey to consist of no more than 6 questions.

After the survey is completed, the team will create a series of email messages to be sent to each member's personal email list (consisting of GUST students). The purpose is to motivate the students to complete the survey. Each team will write 2-3 email messages and send them to their lists over a period of time.

The best email campaign will be used by GUST Times . . . distributed to all students.

Meet with your team before Sunday 20 February and come to class that day with your survey theme in mind. Rough out some of the questions in advance. During class on Sunday you will use surveymonkey.com to create your survey. If time allows we'll also discuss the content of your email campaign.

DO NOT come to class on Sunday without a good idea of how you plan to proceed with building your survey . . . get together in advance and discuss topics for the survey questions.

If you have questions for me, please use the Comments section below.

Assignment #1 Due Tuesday 15 Feb 2011

Please watch this video:
http://espanol.video.yahoo.com/watch/4573127/12244007

After you watch the presentation, answer these questions:

1.  What three things did you learn from watching this video?

2.  If you were Matt Dunlop, what would you do differently to present this information online? How would you improve it?

3.  What is this video "selling"?

4.  Would you be inclined to send this video to other people who want to learn about email marketing? Why or Why not?

Rules of the Assignment:

1.  Must be typewritten (no handwritten work accepted)
2.  Due at the start of class on 15 February (not during the class, or after). So come to class with your assignment in hand!
3.  Type your name/student ID number in the top left of the assignment. On the second line type: MCM 201/Dr. Hayes.
4.  Number your answers.
5.  Answer each question briefly. Doesn't matter if you write in paragraphs or bullet style.
6.  Check your spelling, grammar, etc. It all counts! (See the rubric).

Thank you!

Dr. Hayes

Online Public Relations/Advertising Syllabus

 

Department of Mass Communications

   Course Syllabus
MCM 201 Online PR/Advertising (3 Credit Hours)

                                      

Professor John P. Hayes

Office: N1-262

Phone: 2530- 7089

E-Mail: hayes.j@gust.edu.kw

Office Hours

S-T-T from 1-2 pm

M-W from 4-5 pm

      By Appointment       

Class Meetings:

Section (1) Su-Tu-Th 2-2:50 pm Room N4-104

Section (52) Su-Tu-Th 3-3:50 pm Room W4-203

                                                                              

I.  Course Description

Prerequisite: MCM 141. This course introduces students to the use of Internet by different organizations to achieve goals for advertising and public relations purposes. Students are presented to different concepts such as online advertising/PR strategies, online advertising/PR reach, the association between online research and online advertising/PR, online targeting audience for advertising/PR and online message design.

II. Course Learning Outcomes

Upon the completion of this course, students are expected to:
1.       Define terminology typically used in online PR/Advertising activities. 

2.      Apply writing and creative techniques and skills as required by online media.

3.      Think creatively about online media and how to use these media to develop PR and advertising campaigns.

4.      Create, critique, analyze and evaluate online PR/Advertising campaigns.

5.      Meet deadlines!

6.      Utilize online platforms and tools including blogging, Facebook campaigns, Twitter communications, etc.

7.      Exhibit professional behavior and accomplishment by presenting a portfolio of work at semester’s end. 

III. Methods of Course Delivery

Lectures and demonstrations by the professor, and student team and individual projects and reports. Team projects will require students to work together outside of class time.

IV. Course Educational Resources

1.     Reading lists and materials, as well as online documents, will be provided throughout the semester.

2.     www.MCM201.Blogspot.com provides a platform for teacher/student communication and interaction; students are advised to log in to the site several times weekly.  

V. Basis for Evaluating Student Work Performance

Grading Rubrics are posted at www.MCM201.Blogspot.com

Each student’s class performance will be assessed on the basis of the following grading scheme:

	Course Activity	Percent of Final Mark
1.	Midterm Assessment (week of March 27) . . . Do not make any plans to travel and do not miss classes this week!	25%
2.	In-class Announced Quizzes	20%
3.	Individual & Team Projects, Reports & Homework Assignments	25%
4.	Final Assessment (May 28-June 7)	30%
	In-class participation and contributions, including attendance	See Rubric www.mcm201.blogspot.com
	Total	100%

Final Letter Grades will be based on the following Percentage & Grade Value Scales:

A           =      95 % - 100 (4)       C      =      73 % - 76 (2.0)

A-          =      90 % - 94 (3.7)      C-     =      70 % - 72 (1.7)

B+         =      87 % - 89 (3.3)      D      =      60 % - 69 (1.33)

B           =      83 % - 86 (3.0)      F       =      Less than 60 (0)

B-          =      80 % - 82 (2.7)      DL    =      Delayed

C+         =      77 % - 79 (2.3)      FA    =      Failure due to absence

NOTE: in-class activities cannot be “made-up”. If you missed a class that included a quiz, an exam, a team project, or when extra credit may have been allotted, you cannot make up the work and you will not receive credit unless you attended the class and completed the assigned work.

VI. University Policies

Academic Dishonesty

“Academic dishonesty is a serious offense which may lead to probation, suspension, or expulsion. There are several forms of academic dishonesty. One form is plagiarism--the use of an author’s ideas, statements, or approaches without crediting the source. Another form is the recycling of one’s own work without informing the reader of the prior presentation of the same material. Academic dishonesty also includes cheating or assisting another person in cheating (GUST Bulletin, 2009-2010, p. 41).”

A student who commits academic dishonesty will receive a grade of F (for the respective assignment, quiz or exam) and will be referred to Student Counseling.

Class Attendance Policy

See “My GUST Attendance Record Is My Responsibility,” for all details related to attendance requirements for this course, and to understand how missing class will affect your grade. Your Professor will distribute copies of the document during the first week of the semester; each student is to review the document and sign it, indicating that he/she understands the requirements and will abide by the document. The document is also available for review at http://mcm201.blogspot.com.

From the GUST Bulletin:

“The University requires regular and timely attendance at all classes. Attendance is registered in the student information system (PeopleSoft) by the students as they enter the classroom by swiping their identification card over a card-reader. Repeated tardiness or absences will result in warnings, and, if absence continues, the instructor can decide to fail the student due to absence. Students should inform their instructor of any foreseen absence. Students excused from class for valid reasons by their Deans shall be permitted, if possible, to make up work missed; but the Dean must have notified the instructor in writing (GUST Bulletin, 2009-2010, p. 39).”

The University’s rules on class attendance are clear.

1-    A student will receive a first warning if missing 3 hours.

2-    A student will receive a second warning if missing 6 hours.

3-    A student will receive a third warning if missing 9 hours.

4-    A student may receive a dismissal if missing 10 hours.

Please note: Each student is personally and solely responsible for managing class attendance. The best policy is to attend each class session. If you receive a warning from the university and you believe it’s inaccurate, do something about it immediately and do not wait until the end of the semester. Contact the appropriate personnel and make certain that your attendance record is correct. Once an FA is issued it’s difficult to change it and you will have to prove that you attended any class that the university indicates you missed. Please come to class on time (arrive early). The classroom door will be closed 5 minutes after the start of the class; please do not enter when the door is closed.  . . . As noted above and emphasized here: See “My GUST Attendance Record Is My Responsibility,” for all details related to attendance requirements for this course, and to understand how missing class will affect your grade.

Course Expectations

-           Always come to class early

-       Read assigned materials in advance of class

-       Provide accurate, neat and complete assignments

-       Adhere to the professor’s rules for assignments

-       Participate in class discussions

-       Meet every deadline!

-       Speak only English in the classroom and in meetings with the professor

-       Write in English when completing assignments

-       Respect conventional class manners such as turning off cell phones (or similar electronic device) and disengaging from chatting with classmates about topics unrelated to the class. (For more on this and related issues, please read Student Code of Conduct in GUST Bulletin, 2009-2010, p. 41). 

-       Follow the professor’s guidelines and rules outlined in “My Gust Attendance Record Is My Responsibility” and other documents handed out by the Professor and/or available at http://mcm201.blogspot.com.

Please note: The Professor reserves the right to change the syllabus, content, and grading scale during the semester.

#

"My GUST Attendance Record Is My Responsibility"

Important Info for Every Student

How To Enhance Your Grade,

Maintain Dignity,

And Avoid The Dreaded FA

Memo To: Dr. John Hayes

From: _______________________________________________________________

                                   (Print Your Name & Student Number Above)

Re: Attendance in Course ____________________________________________

                                                           (Print Course Title/# Above)

I clearly understand that it’s my personal responsibility to maintain my attendance record at GUST, and I give you my word that I will manage my attendance record at all times during this semester. Just to be clear, Dr. Hayes, I want you to know that:

1.     I know and acknowledge that class begins on time and I am considered late at 5 minutes after the start time. There are no excuses and no explanations allowed. Heavy traffic, accidents, forgotten ID cards, illnesses, etc., are all realities of life, but they may never be offered as reasons for missing a class or arriving late for class. If I’m late for a class, I will not embarrass myself, or disturb my colleagues, by offering any excuse. If the door to the classroom is closed, I will NOT knock on it. I’ll know that I missed the class and I’ll be marked as absent for that day. . . . I also understand that this rule is necessary because some students at GUST are habitually late, and late arrivals interrupt the class. For the sake of students who attend classes regularly, and on time, late arrivals cannot be permitted. This rule facilitates learning, which is why we’re enrolled at GUST.

2.     From time to time, for whatever reason, I may have to miss a class, or choose to miss a class. So I’m grateful that the university allows an ample (but limited) number of unexcused absences. I also appreciate that the university tracks my attendance and will periodically inform me about my absences, especially if they become frequent. These notices from GUST help me manage my attendance, and you can be sure that I will pay particular attention to them because I do not want to lower my grade because I was absent (see #10 below), or get the dreaded FA!

3.     I understand that occasionally GUST’s card readers may malfunction and I may be marked as absent when in fact I was present. On these occasions, I know and acknowledge that it’s still my responsibility, and my responsibility alone, to prove to the university that I attended a class if in fact I did, and most importantly, to get the record clarified by asking GUST to remove my absence. If you agree, Professor, that I was in a class for which GUST has marked me as absent, I will ask you for a change slip to correct the error. However, I know and acknowledge that I must complete this request within 48 hours of the class meeting in question – otherwise GUST will not change the record. If I wait to request or complete the change slip I may lose the opportunity to correct the university’s attendance record, and in that event I will accept the absence(s) without question or argument. . . . I realize this rule is necessary because there’s a growing number of students at GUST, and to maintain order, the university must impose timed regulations.

4.     I know and acknowledge that I can prevent attendance warnings (and a lower grade, or the dreaded FA), and avoid having to spend time meeting with university personnel to correct my record, by attending classes regularly. It’s as simple as that!

5.     I know and acknowledge that if I did not respond appropriately to attendance notices at the time they were issued (and have proof in writing that I responded appropriately), then I did NOT manage my attendance record. If GUST issues an FA under these circumstances I will accept the FA without question or argument.

6.     I know and acknowledge that if I miss a class there are no excused absences at GUST and I do not need to explain the absence to you. I also know and acknowledge that it is my responsibility to find out what work I missed, and to do so I’ll contact one of my colleagues. That way I’ll be prepared for the next class. I do not expect you, Professor, to repeat the class for me. However, if you handed out materials in my absence I will come to your office and collect the materials.

7.     I know and acknowledge that if I miss a class, regardless of the reason (including hospitalization, illness, a family vacation, a death in the family, etc.), there are no make-ups for assignments that occurred in class. I repeat: No make ups! . . . unless they were pre-approved by you, Professor, in writing. Of course, if I miss a graded assignment my gradebook will reflect a zero for that assignment, and that may lower my Final grade.

8.     I know and acknowledge that it is dishonest to ask another student, or any other person, to swipe my ID card to show that I was in a class that I did not attend, and therefore I will not ask anyone to do this for me. Furthermore, I will not do it for another student.

9.     I know and acknowledge that it is inappropriate to offer excuses such as, “I told you, Professor, that the card reader wasn’t working,” or “I came to you and said I was sick,” or, “You told me you would correct my absences,” etc. Once again, I know and acknowledge that it is solely my responsibility to maintain my attendance record at GUST.

10. I know and acknowledge that my Final grade for this course will include a combined mark for attendance and participation. The meaning of attendance is obvious. Participation means that I ask questions in and out of the classroom; I use my textbook in class; I take notes in class; and I respond to questions in class. I understand that even if I participate and I miss more than three (3) class sessions I will lose one (1) letter grade (for attendance and participation); if I miss more than five (5) class sessions, I’ll lose two (2) letter grades; if I miss more than eight (8) class sessions, I’ll lose three (3) letter grades. As an example, if I participate, but I miss four (4) classes, then the highest grade I can receive for attendance and participation is a B. Miss six (6) and the highest grade I can receive is a C. Miss nine (9) and the highest grade I can receive is a D. . . . I understand that this rule is necessary because attendance and (especially) participation facilitates learning, and learning is why I’m enrolled at GUST. Participation is a way to demonstrate that I’m learning.

11. I understand that if I arrive late for class, or leave early, you may mark “partial attendance” on my record. For every two “partial attendances” on my record I will be counted as absent from one (1) class session.

12. I know and acknowledge that it’s important to arrive early for class, pay attention and participate in class, and don’t leave until the class ends.   

Professor, I know you are here to teach, and I want you to know that I am here to learn so that I will acquire and develop valued skills! Therefore, I appreciate the opportunity to explain to you how I will enhance my grade, maintain dignity, and avoid the dreaded FA! Teach me everything you can; I’m ready!

Basic English Grading Rubric

For all Courses Taught by

Dr. John P. Hayes

Gulf University for Science & Technology

Score Yourself!

Spelling Errors

1-3                        - 3 PTS

4-7                   - 5 PTS

8 or more       - 10 PTS

Grammar Errors

1-3                      - 3 PTS

4-7                  - 5 PTS

8 or more       - 10 PTS

Incomplete Sentence

1                        - 3 PTS

2                    - 5 PTS

3 or more       - 10 PTS

Punctuation Errors

1-5                     - 3 PTS

6-9                 - 5 PTS

10 or more     - 10 PTS

Attendance & Participation Rubric

For all Courses Taught by

Dr. John P. Hayes

Gulf University for Science & Technology

Score Yourself!

You can miss up to 3 class sessions and not lose any marks providing no quizzes/tests were administered the day you missed; no /assignments were due that day; and you frequently participate in class! If extra credit was issued for any reason on a day you missed, you do not quality to get it!

You missed class >3 but <6 times Participated in class - 1/2 Letter Grade	You missed class >5 but <9 times Participated in class - 1 Letter Grade	You missed class >8 but <12 times Participated in class - 1 1/2 Letter Grades
You missed class >3 but <6 times Low class participation -  1 Letter Grade	You missed class >5 but <9 times Low class participation -  1 1/2 Letter Grades	You missed class >8 but <12 times Low class participation - 2 Letter Grades
You missed class >3 but <6 times No class participation -  1 1/2 Letter Grades	You missed class >5 but <9 times No class participation -  2 Letter Grades	You missed class >8 but <12 times No class participation - 3 Letter Grades

Class Participation Means You:

Volunteer to ask questions

Volunteer to answer questions

Use the textbook

Take notes

Each student must attend class regularly. As is the case in the real world, attendance and promptness is expected and valued. Coming to class late or leaving early (without prior clearance with the instructor) is not an acceptable behavior. The University policy regarding class attendance will be strictly enforced.