The researchers expect to find strong positive correlations between the level of overall support provided by a commander and the following four factors

 1) Commanders' understanding of the value of PA
 2) Commanders' understanding of the role of PA
 3) Commanders' overall perception of PAOs
 4) Commander's attitudes toward the news media

 The researchers expect to find that PAOs who rate their commanders as supportive and believe their commanders have positive perceptions of PA will perceive their commanders as having high levels of understanding of both roles and values of PA; high perceptions of PAOs themselves; and positive attitudes toward working with the news media.  

 Conversely, PAOs who rate their commanders as non-supportive and believe their commanders have negative perceptions of public affairs are expected to rate their commanders as having low understanding of PA roles and values; negative perceptions of PAOs; and negative attitudes toward working with the news media.  

From an applied perspective, the theories discussed earlier in the paper (uses and gratifications, value expectancy, and leader-member exchange) are critical in understanding these results.  First, leaders who are rated as supportive and have positive perceptions of public affairs are likely to be knowledgeable in the uses and associated rewards of implementing effective public affairs programs.  From the uses and gratifications perspective, supportive commanders will likely score high in understanding of PA's role in the mission -- that is what are the most proper and effective uses of public affairs.  The survey will help determine which areas PAOs are already being successful.   This information can be built upon to create other opportunities for commander gratification in respect to public affairs programs.  Becker’s (1979) research into uses and gratifications supports this philosophy that a person seeking gratification of a particular type and from a certain medium will likely do the same for another.    

From a value expectancy theory perspective, supportive commanders will likely score high in their understanding of PA's value to the overall mission -- that is what positive benefit will the organization derive from engaging in active public affairs programs.  Supportive commanders will also demonstrate more positive attitudes toward new media within the value expectancy framework.  Using Nebecker & Mitchell’s (1974) ideas, PAOs can start to predict leadership behavior through their perceptions of commanders’ expectations and develop strategies for upward compliance gaining.

Finally, from a leader-member exchange perspective, supportive commanders are more likely to have higher perceptions of their PAOs.  If commanders work with competent and trustworthy PAOs who are successful in articulating public affairs needs and goals, commanders are more likely to have positive perceptions of those PAOs and the public affairs mission as a whole.  This survey will show if PAOs are considered “in-group” or “out-group” subordinates, which will also help PAOs develop better use of upward influence tactics, such as open persuasion, strategic persuasion, and manipulation (Krone, 1991).