Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination

Department of Communication

University Putra Malaysia

Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination

Name of candidate:

Muhamad Fazil Bin Ahmad

Date:

13^th June 2011

Examiners :

Dr. Zulhamri Abdullah

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ezhar Tamam

Dr. Jusang Bolong

Instructions :

1. Candidate picks up the examination questions from the chairman of supervisory committee on the morning of 13^th June 2011.
2. Candidate is given one week to answer all questions. It is a take home examination.
3. All answers must be typed using computer, double-spaced on one side of the paper and using font size 12 point. Answer each question separately and type the question on top the front page of each answer script. Number the answer pages accordingly.
4. The length of answer for each question is about 12 – 15 pages.
5. References cited should be listed at the end of the respective answer script. The references used should be as current as possible.
6. Submit three (3) bound copies of your answer script to the chairman of the supervisory committee by 12:00 noon on 20^th June 2011. On the front page or cover, write your name, matric number, name of examiners, and examination date.
7. An oral examination will be conducted after all examiners had read and evaluated the answer scripts.
8. Candidate may consult the respective lecturer who prepared the question for clarification.
9. The examination result will be disqualified if element of plagiarism is found in the answer script.

Duration of CE : 13^th – 20^th June 2011 (8 Days Only)

Question 1: Communication/related Theory

Question 2: Research Methods

Question 3: Statistics

Question 4: Domain of Thesis Studied

Instructions:

1. There are FOUR (4) questions in this part.

2. Answer ALL questions.

Question 1: Communication/related Theory [10 marks]

1. The Public Relations Division of International Communication association is now seeking nominations for the best theory on corporate communication. Which theory would you nominate and accordingly provide justifications of your choice?

Question 2: Research Methods [10 marks]

2a. What do you understand by key points, “conceptualization” and “operationalization”?

2b. Considering the possible relationship between CSR initiatives and corporate reputation, describe how that relationship might be examined (a) deductive and (b) inductive methods.

Question 3: Statistics [10 marks]

3. Please give your critique on statistical procedures used by the researchers in the accompanying journal article. Support your critique with some reference, why the researchers used that the statistical procedures for their research. Finally, please indicate another possible research objective(s) and statistical procedure(s) would be your suggestion to the researchers to improve their finding. Why?

Source of journal article

Wan, Hua-Hsin and Schell, Robert (2007). Reassessing Corporate Image—An Examination of How Image Bridges Symbolic Relationships With Behavioral Relationships, Journal of Public Relations Research, 19: 1, 25 — 45

Question 4: Domain of Thesis Studied [20 marks]

4a. How would you describe the differences between related constructs such as corporate image, corporate identity and corporate reputation of the organization?

4b. What are possible theoretical practical implication of city branding as discussed in the article below? Why does brand personality concepts are used to study branding places? Do you agree that there are similarities between brand personality and brand positioning with regards to place branding?

Source of journal article

Melike Demirbag Kaplan, Oznur Yurt, Burcu Guneri, and Kemal Kurtulus. (2010). Branding places: applying brand: personality concept to cities. European Journal of Marketing Vol. 44 No. 9/10, 2010 pp. 1286-1304 .

Ph.D Tip: Take Big Actions Once Per Month

Dear Muhamad,

Hey, it's good to be with you again. How is the dissertation progress going?

Today's tip has to do with taking big action on your dissertation.

While, generally, I tend to favor small steps, consistently taken, there are times in the process where you won't be able to accomplish very much in small blocks of time. You'll need to set aside a larger chunk of time in order to accomplish something

significant.

My recommendations for doing this would be to try and set aside a day once a month or once every two months in which you have several hours to devote to your dissertation. Plan that into your schedule for the next six months. Guard this time as you would any other important appointment.

Plan ahead of time what you'll work on during this period, and start early in the day. Use this block of time wisely, and you could make enough significant progress on the dissertation to motivate you to keep going. When you commit to your project in terms of time and energy, you will be more likely to see it through.

Dr. Rachna Jain