Scope of Work

Media Content Analysts for Zika Virus Study

May June 2017

Description

The UNC Gillings Global Gateway is seeking two Masters or Doctoral students as Media
Content Analysts to assist with identifying and coding media content about Zika virus. This is
part of a study by UNC and RTI International researchers regarding the perceptions and
behaviors of Americans who intend to travel to geographic areas where active Zika virus
transmission has been reported: http://sph.unc.edu/sph-news/new-survey-will-determinewhether-
and-how-zika-affects-americans-vacations/.

Media Content Analysts will be trained by RTI researchers to review and code the content of a
sample of print and broadcast news media, and summarize this information for this UNC RTI
study.

Responsibilities

Participate in trainings led by RTI at RTI International offices in Research Triangle Park,
NC to learn about the study and the procedures to be followed when coding news media
stories and content
Pilot coding scheme with a sample of news media, share and compare results with other
coders and researchers, and participate in any revisions or updates to the coding scheme
or other study procedures
Attend both in-person and teleconference meetings led by RTI to discuss coding
procedures and discrepancies and achieve inter-rater reliability with other media content
analysts
Code remainder of news stories in the sample
Meet all coding deadlines and attend all scheduled calls and project meetings

Desired Skill Set

Background in health behavior, maternal and child health, epidemiology, or

communication

Must be able to pay close attention to detail

Prior experience with coding media or transcripts

Materials

Students must have access to a computer, the ability to work in Excel, and the ability to
participate in both in-person trainings and project teleconferences

Budget

UNC Gillings Global Gateway will pay students at a rate of $17 per hour. An estimated 80-
100 hours per student will be needed for this task between May and June 2017. This activity
may satisfy practicum requirements, depending on the students department and degree program.

Interested students should send a send their CV and a short statement of interest (250 words) as
to how they would benefit from participating in this activity to Jim.Herrington@unc.edu no later
than close of business Wednesday, April 19, 2017.