PC Worksheet

The Research Process

Course Code & Title : PC – Purposive Communication

Name: SHANELLE ANDREA S. RAIT Section: L2 Date: November 12,2021

Directions: Arrange the sample research according to the process discussed in the video. Identify
what comes first.

A. Hypothesis

Landlocked states do not have a lower mean population density than the coastal nations. While this may at first
seem indicated by common broad generalizations, other complexities may predominate. The generalization also
includes rivers and lowlands as areas of population concentration. For example, Paraguay and Hungary are both
lowlands, and Paraguay and Switzerland are on important rivers. Furthermore, some landlocked states are near
to coasts, even though they do not possess shorelines. Examples include San Marino and Swaziland. These
would be considered coastal in a dot map examination. Close examination of the data indicates that almost half of
the landlocked states do have population densities below the average. Thus, while no direct relationship exists to
support the simplistic statement, closer examination may help strengthen it and build toward an improved
understanding of these population distributions

B. Related Literature

The Jackson and Hudman text stated: The estimated population of the world in 1990 is about 5.3 billion. If they
were evenly distributed over the land area of the earth (including Antarctica), there would be approximately 92
persons per square mile (35.5 per square kilometer) of land area.

The Wheeler and Kostbade text gives the average population density as 89 people per square mile. Figure 1
shows the calculations derived from the use of Hoffman's figure for world land area and the world population
figure given by Haub, Kent, and Yanagishita. This resulted in a mean population density of 93 people per square
mile. These figures were considerably close and the range of 89-93 people was accepted as the mean world
population density.

In the identification of landlocked states, only one difficulty was encountered. The Vatican City was listed as a
state; however, no population density was given. It was assumed no one is truly a citizen of the state, not even the
Pope, and thus, they are represented elsewhere. It was, therefore, excluded from the analysis. The appendix lists
the 29 landlocked states and their population densities. Figure 2 shows the calculations made in determining the
mean population densities of the landlocked states. The mean population density of the landlocked states was
determined to be 205.8 persons per square mile. The difference between the mean population density of the land
locked states and the mean world population density is between 112.8 and 116.8. (See Figure 3.) The mean
population density of the landlocked states was more than twice that of the mean world population density. (See
Figure 4.) It might be noted by examination of the appendix, that 14 of 29 states have a mean population density
of less than 100 persons per square mile. If the definition of average had been mode rather than mean, the
conclusion may have been different.
 C. Sampling Procedure

All states listed in the data bank were located in the Nystrom World Atlas; thus, no random sampling procedures
were utilized. The states examined were a complete sample by the definitions used in "Nations of the World.
World regional geography textbooks were consulted to locate the average world population density figures, and
then the world area and world population figures were used to derive it directly as confirmation. Next, the
individual state listings in "Nations of the World" were examined. Each state was located using the atlas and
categorized as either coastal or landlocked. If it was landlocked, its name and population density were recorded.

D. Analysis

The world population density was obtained, first, from two different world regional geography textbooks, Jackson
and Hudman and Wheeler and Kostbade. This figure was checked with figures from a world almanac edited by
Hoffman and Haub, Kent, and Yanagishita. A Nystrom atlas was used to locate the states and determine which
category, landlocked or coastal, best described each. The mean population densities of each landlocked state
were obtained from the average population density figures given in the "Nations of the World" listing of The World
Almanac.

E. Statistical Treatment

The mean population density of landlocked states is lower than the mean population density of the world.
The mean population density of landlocked states is the same as the mean population density of the world.

F. Conclusion

Upon completion of this procedure, the number of landlocked states on the list were counted and recorded. The
average population densities of each of the states were added, this sum was recorded, and the sum was divided
by the number of landlocked states to obtain a mean population density for landlocked states. Finally, a comparison
was made between the mean population density of landlocked states and the mean population density of the world.
If the former figure were the higher, the hypothesis would have been rejected; but if it were the lower, the hypothesis
would have failed to be rejected. No formal tests of significance were undertaken.

Adapted from Purposive Communication Manual (2018, pp.93-94). Department of Communication and
Humanities. College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Caraga State University.