Spurious Correlations

Spurious Correlations Ó 1996, 1997 by William C. Burns
The analysis of human resources data typically involves the use of computer databases that were constructed to process transactions. Their purpose normally centers on administration and recordkeeping. Thus the variables that are available for analysis are not necessarily the ones that would be chosen as the ideal set of variables given the purposes of the analysis. A side effect is that in many cases critical analysis variables may be missing. This can lead to "spurious correlations," a common and serious interpretation fallacy. For example, suppose that the critical variable is correlated with race, age, or gender. Thus any other variable that correlates with the critical variable will probably also be correlated with race, age, or gender. These correlations are spurious because their primary cause is the missing critical variable. Nonetheless these spurious correlations are at times used as indicators of discrimination. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the widespread occurrence of spurious correlations.
 My favorite example is to do the following:

1. Get data on all the fires in San Francisco for the last ten years.
2. Correlate the number of fire engines at each fire and the damages in dollars at each fire.

 Note the significant relationship between number of fire engines and the amount of damage. Conclude that fire engines cause the damage.
 The reason that I like this example is that the conclusion is so absurd. Anyone will quickly recognize that both variables result from and are correlated with the overall size of the fire. However, many spurious correlations do not seem absurd and some seem compelling.

Development Support Communication: DSC

The practice of Development Support Communication, DSC, is a multi-sectoral process of information sharing about development agendas and planned actions. It links planners, beneficiaries and implementers of development action, including the donor community. It obligates planners and implementers to provide clear, explicit and intelligible data and information about their goals and roles in development, and explicitly provides opportunities for beneficiaries to participate in shaping development outcomes. It ensures that the donor community is kept constantly aware of the achievements and constraints of development efforts in the field.

Development Support Communication makes use of all available structures and means of information sharing. Therefore it is not limited to mass media alone. It also uses both formal group and non-formal channels of communication, such as women’s and youth associations, as well as places where people gather.... markets, churches, festivals, and meetings. But its contribution is in using these in a systemic, continuous, co-ordinated and planned manner, to perform linkage and enabling functions. It requires analysis of the communication environment, of the available and needed communication competencies and resources (hardware, software, financial and human), and clearly indicates expected results from specific resource inputs, so as to maintain accountability.

Write a short note on Opinion Leaders

Opinion Leaders are the individuals in a community where people go for information and advice. They are fully access to mass media and much of the information  reaches the general public through them. As "gatekeepers", they filter the media message during communication. As "interpreters", they interpret the message obtained from media to the people; and as "influential", influence the public by passing on thier own opinion along with the message.

According to Rogers, Opinion leadership is the degree to which an individual is able to influence other individual's attitudes to overt behaviour informally in a desired way with relative frequency."

In the traditional Meetei family, grandfathers or grandmothers are regarded as Opinion leaders. During King's rule, maichous or priest are opinion leaders, where people seek advise on different topics.

(Source - Internet)

Write a short note on Photography

Photography is an important tool in the hands of a journalist. A photograph gives a vivid and comprehensive account  of an object, event or situation. The communication through photograph is visual, and as such the comprehension of information by the audience is easy and even an illiterate can get it.

Photographs are used  not only for highlighting the news, but also to make features and articles more informative and interesting. This also makes investigative journalism more authentic by providing evidence of the facts. A picture is worth a thousand words. This old saying will continue to be true. 

What is News Ombudsman?

A News Ombudsman receives ad investigates complaints from newspaper readers or listeners or viewers of radio and television about accuracy, fairness, balance and good taste in news coverage. He or she recommends appropriate remedies or responses to correct or clarify news reports. The first newspaper  ombudsman in the US was appointed in June 1967 to act for readers of The Courier-Journal and The Louisville Times.

Organisation of News Ombudsmen (ONO) was founded in 1980. This organisation includes approximately 100 experienced jouranlists around the world. No two ombudsmen work exactly alike. However, they monitor news and feature columns, photography and other graphic materials for fairness, accuracy and balance. They investigate and reply to comments and complaints concerning published or broadcast news and feature material. They  obtain explaination from editors and other staff members for readers, viewers or listeners.
In India, The Hindu is having news ombudsman and writes regularly for the readers, following the media ethics.

(Source - Internet)

Explain the Social Responsibility Theory

According to this theory, although the press has a right to criticise government and other institutions  it also has a social responsibility to preserve democracy by properly informing the public and by responding to society's interests and needs. It is more important for citizens to have the right of access to information than it is for the press to achieve complete freedom of speech.

Main principles of this theory are
a) Media should accept and fulfill certain obligations to society by setting high or professional standards of truth, accuracy, objectivity and balance etc.
b) In accepting and applying these obligations, media should be self regulating within the framework of law and established institutions.
Journalist and media professionals should be accountable to society as well as to employers.

(Source - Internet)

Write a short note on Yellow Journalism

Yellow journalism is the use of lurid features and sensationalized news in  a print  or electronic media to attract readers and increase circulation. The term was used for the first time in 1890s to describe the tactics employed in furious competition between two New York City newspapers, the "World" and the "Journal".

Joesph Putlizer had purchased the New York World in 1883 and using colourful, sensational reporting and crusades against political corruption and social injustice, had own the largest circulation in the country. However, his circulation was challenged in 1895, when William Randolph Hearst, bought the rival "Journal". He then, began to challenge Joesph's newspaper in sensationalism, crusades and Sunday features.

Generally speaking, Yellow journalism is known as that type of journalism which is sensationalism, distorted and lacks credibility.

(Source - Internet)

Describe the importance of Sound in Film making.

The three aspects of sound we perceive are:
- Loudness
- Pitch
- Timbre

As fundamental components of film sound, loudness, pitch and timbre interact to define the overall sonic texture of a film. At the most basic level, these three acoustic factors enable us to distinguish the various sounds in film. For example, these qualities enable us to recognize different characters' voices.

The rhythm, melody, harmony and instrumentation of the music can strongly affect the viewer’s emotional reactions. Also, a melody, musical phrase or sound effect can be associated with a particular character, setting, situation or idea creating a sound motif.

By reordering and varying sound motifs , the filmmaker can compare scenes, trace patterns of development, and suggest implicit meanings. A musical score can create, develop, and associate motifs that enter into the film’s overall form.

Sound guides the viewer’s attention. Normally, this means clarifying and simplifying the sound track so that important material stands out. Dialogue , the transmitter of story information, is usually recorded and reproduced for maximum clarity.

How many Camera shots are there in Film making?

There are Seven Basic Moving Camera Shots:
- Panning shots (swish pans)
- Tilts
- Dolly Shots (Trucking, Tracking, Pull-backs)
- Handheld Shots
- Crane Shots
- Zoom Shots
- Aerial Shots 

Explain the difference between Mainstream and Parallel Cinema.

Mainstream Cinema is also known as Commercial cinema or Popular cinema and concentrates on the entertainment needs of the masses.  Cinema in India is in itself a diverse strand of expression incorporating mainstream cinema which holds popular appeal, art or parallel cinema that engages with social issues, middle cinema and regional language cinema. Mainstream or popular Hindi cinema is also better known as "Bollywood" because such cinema is seen to exercise widespread influence over people and enjoys mass appeal. Popular cinema and culture derive from each other. Films are believed to be the opium of the Indian masses as people rely on this medium to help them escape to a world of fantasy. In a bid to reach the masses, mainstream cinema has become melodramatic and rhetorical. The presentation of extremes has been common.

However, to a certain extent Mainstream Cinema are films that are distributed to movie theaters which give these films worldwide releases. The definition of a mainstream Cinema can vary by country. For example, a mainstream Cinema from China wouldn't be considered a mainstream film in India. But from a global perspective, mainstream Cinema could be defined as Hollywood films, because it is these films which make up the majority of the most widely distributed films in the world. This makes Hollywood films the worldwide mainstream.

Parallel Cinema is a film movement in Indian cinema that originated in the Bengal in the 1950's as an alternative to the mainstream commercial Indian cinema, represented especially by popular Hindi cinema, known today as Bollywood. The Parallel Cinema movement began to take shape from the late 1940s to the 1960s, by pioneers such as Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak, Bimal Roy, Mrinal Sen, Tapan Sinha, Khwaja Ahmad Abbas, Chetan Anand, Guru Dutt and V. Shantaram. This period is considered part of the 'Golden Age' of Indian cinema.

The Parallel Cinema concentrates on contemporary socio-political problems of the country. These films are made for the elite audiences and they are expected to change their thought processes. Mostly, there are no idols or stars in the art movie. There are only ideas that shake the minds of the viewer.

Examples of Mainstream Cinema in India are - Sholay, Zanzeer, Don, Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, Devdas, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Dil to Pagal hain, Kuch Kuch Hota Hain, Kabhi Khusi Kabhi Gham, Doom 3, Krrish 3 etc.

Examples of Parallel Cinema in India are - Do Bhiga Zamin, Pather Panchali, Salam Bombay, Sati, Welcome to Sajjanpur, Chandni Baar, Lakshmi,Ishanou, Leibaklei etc.

(Source - Internet)

What are the stages of film production?

A typical Hollywood  style film production cycle is composed of five main stages.
1. Development
2. Pre-production
3. Production
4. Post-production
5. Distribution

Production cycle normally takes three years. the first year is taken up with development. The second year comprises pre-production and production. The third year is for post production and distribution.

Source - Internet

Writing Dissertation for Master Degree in Easy Way

Here is a quick step by step to complete dissertation for Master Degree in any University in the easiest way.

1. Topic
The topic for research should be selected carefully. It should be specific and about the general issues at regional and national level.

2. Introduction
It should provide a brief description to explain the area of the proposed research work by the researcher.

3. Review of Literature
A review of the relevant literature is another very important part of the synopsis, showing the work done previously in the area of proposed research is essential to plan further research effectively and in a proper way. The information given in the review should be supported by references.

4. Justification and Likely Benefits
It is important to provide justification for undertaking the proposed research, perhaps in the light of previous work done. It should be possible in most cases to predict the specific and general benefits likely to be achieved as a result of completion of the proposed research.

5. Main Objectives of the Study
Broad objectives to be achieved should be clearly mentioned and these should be itemized. These objectives will indicate the major aspects of the study to be undertaken.

6. Hypothesis of Study
Hypothesis is statement which is to be tested for possible acceptance or rejection. Hypothesis are of two types i.e. Null (Ho) and Alternative (H1). Null hypothesis is tested for possible rejection, where as alternative hypothesis is tested for possible acceptance.

7. Significance of Study
It emphasized on the significance/ importance of the research work/study i.e. why we selected the topic under discussion.

Write an Essay on Security Issues on Internet or Cyber Crime.

Any crime that is committed using a computer, a network, or hardware device is known as cyber crime. Attacks include keystroke loggers, viruses,  Trojan horses, phishing, theft or manipulation of data or services via hacking or viruses, identity theft, and bank or e-commerce fraud.

More than 9 out of 10 of the world’s emails are fraudulent. No doubt,we have noticed the increased amount of spam . The spam keeps coming because it works . People do click on the messages, fill in their account details, order the fake pharmaceuticals and sign up for bogus work-from-home schemes, and lose
their personal information.

 Phishing attacks, or fake email or other lures that get the consumer to provide confidential data. One creative phishing attack offered Australian tax payers a special printable form to access their refund payments . After the victim entered their sensitive financial information into the form and clicked “Print,” their private data was sent to the cyber criminals .

Modern cyber crime is about money. 78% of online attacks include a financial component and, in fact, 76% of those online attacks include a keystroke logger—a piece of software that silently waits on our computer to record our logins and account credentials and passwords and then ships them off to the crooks, wherever they may be, via the Internet . Next thing we know, our bank account is being emptied and our credit cards are being used fraudulently.

Define E-governance

E-governance is defined as the Information and Communication Technology (ICT)-enabled route to achieving good governance since it integrates people, processes, information, and technology in the service of governance initiatives.

The expected benefits of such public sector reforms have been identified as an increase in the efficiency of government operations, strengthening democracy, enhancing transparency, and providing better services to citizens and businesses.It is the use of ICT to promote more efficient and effective government, facilitate more accessible government services, allow greater public access to information, and make government more accountable to citizens.

E-government has emerged beyond electronic service delivery and is part of the ongoing reform and transformation of government enabling participatory governance and partnerships to improve efficiency and effectiveness. E-government is about transforming government to be more citizen-centred.

(Source - Internet)

Define Cultivation Theory

Cultivation Theory suggests that television is responsible for shaping or cultivating viewers' conception of social reality. This theory was an approach developed by Professor George Gerbner in the mid 1960s, to study whether and how watching television may influence viewers' ideas of what the world is like.

Gerbner argues that the mass media cultivate attitudes and values which are already present in a culture. And the media maintain and propagates these values amongst members of a culture, thus binding together. Cultivation theory asserts that viewers who have a constant diet of television have attitudes that are cultivated primarily by what they watch on television. George Garbner views this television world as reality itself.

Viewers tend to have more faith in the television version of reality the more they watch television. This constructed version of the world makes viewers assume things about violence, people, places, and other fictionalized events which do not hold true to life. Television acts as a socializing agent that educates viewers to a new reality.

(Source - Internet)

Explain Types and Genres of films.

Genre Theory and Classifications Genre films are distinguished by a characteristic set of conventions in style, subject matter, and values. Genre is a convenient way of focusing and organizing the story materials. Many genre films are directed a specific audience.

Some common genres of films are Western, Family, Drama, Sci-fi film, Action, Romance, Adventure, Fantasy, Crime, Horror, War and Comedy.

“Conventional definitions of the genre are based on the idea that they share particular convention of content e.g. Themes or setting” – David Chandler.

Until the 1970s films were not generally specified as a particular genre, film genres help to categorize films, allowing more meaningful comparisons.

1. The Action Genre:

What is Film Aesthetic?

Aesthetic deals with the nature of art, beauty, and taste, and the creation and appreciation of beauty. Film combines many diverse disciplines, each of which may have their own rules of aesthetics. The aesthetics of films are closely related to still photography, but the movement of the subject, or the camera and the intensities, colours, and placement of the lighting are highly important.

The beauty of a film lies in its representation by the Camera, lighting and Mise en Scene. A scene from the Bollywood film "Ram Teri Ganga Maili" where the actress breast fed her child is a perfect example of aesthetic in film, portraying a motherly care for the child. This scene was beautifully represented by the camera shot, the angle and the lighting.

 Film aesthetic depends on the following factors: