The Time I Met Carl Hiaasen

One of the best parts of my job is having the opportunity to meet so many different and interesting people. On Sept. 20, I got to meet author Carl Hiaasen. He was super sweet, generous with his time and a great speaker. I will definitely recommend him to anyone looking for speakers.

Before the event I had the chance to interview Carl for O-State TV. This is was an interesting shoot for the team, because it was the first time we did a two-camera set up for an interview. For me, it was a first being on camera as the interviewer. After dozens of on camera interviews as the interviewee, this was a surprisingly different experience.

APR Tuesday Tip: Convenience Sample

Hint: it's called a convenience sample for a reason.

Front: Convenience/Accidental Sample

Back: Informal selection process. Provides nonprobability sample. Ex. Drop by the company cafeteria and ask questions of whomever you find there.

APR Tuesday Tip: Probability Samples

Front: Probability Sample

Back: A scientific sample drawn in such a way that the probability of being chosen is equal or is known. A random sample is a good example.

With random samples, I find people struggle not with providing the definition, but with really understanding it. Random samples can be hard to create. If you stop every third person to walk through your door, that is not a random sample. Those people are preselected by entering that building on that day.

You have to think about the total population that interests you. Do every single one of them have the same chance to participate? 

APR Tuesday Tip: Census

I'm on a research roll with the APR tips. For the next few weeks, I'll highlight different kinds of samples.

Front: Census

Back: A 100 percent sample. Identify all the people in your universe and give each one an opportunity to respond. Especially useful with small well-defined populations. If your universe is under 300, consider a census.

I remember this one by thinking of the most notable census, the US Census. Its goal is to survey every single person in the US. 

APR Tuesday Tip: Formal vs. Informal Research

On the APR exam, there will be questions regarding a number of research methods we use in PR. You'll need to know the relative strengths and weaknesses of each and you'll need to know if it is an example of formal or informal research. Informal research is not bad, or inaccurate, or less valuable than formal research. It's just different.

Front: Formal vs. Informal Research

Back: Formal research uses the scientific method. The easiest way to distinguish is to ask does it have a random sample? And can it be reproduced?