Developing an understanding of information seeking during the impact phase of a natural disaster
Creators: name: Ryan, Barbara
Publisher: name: RMIT University
Year: 2024
Subjects: classificationCode: 470199
subject: Communication and media studies not elsewhere classified

description: This thesis investigated if existing information models could describe information-seeking in disaster, what type of information-seeking patterns exist, and whether a disaster information-seeking model might guide communication practice. Literature on human behaviour and information-seeking in disaster was reviewed. A model that attempted to explain influences on risk communication (Mileti &amp; Sorensen 1990) was found. Also, a model of problem-specific every day life information-seeking (Savolainen 2008) could possibly be adapted to disaster. These models became a foundation for a new model for disaster information-seeking.<br><br>The model was improved using three methods: semi-structured interviews (n=51) online and mailed surveys (n=345), and a focus group of six communicators/researchers. Each method contributed to development of the model.<br><br>Findings from the interviews were specific to disaster type. Sample information-seeking pathways were established, with dominant pathways for each disaster: flash flood was hearing about it from others then confirming using television; in slow flood, the alertor was environmental cues, and confirmation was other people; in bushfire, other people were the alert and confirmation sources; in a cyclone, alert sources were Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) website and commercial radio, and weather websites confirmation sources, including BOM. In flash flood, people needed was to make sense of what had happened and how it affected their community; in slow flood, flood peak was key and how it would affect their property; in bushfire, location and path of the bushfire and the welfare of family and friends were needed; in cyclone, the path of the cyclone before and the level of damage after, and how friends and family had fared were main needs.<br><br>The survey confirmed the disaster-specific nature of information-seeking. In flash flood, other people and environmental cues were key alert sources, confirmed by news/weather websites. In slow flood, television and radio were alertors, confirmed by news/ weather websites. People learned of cyclone from a news/ weather website and confirmed using another website; in bushfire the alertor was environmental cues confirmed by an agency website; in storm, other people then television or radio; in earthquake environmental cues then other people, radio or emergency agency staff; in tornado television or news/weather website confirmed by other people or environmental cues; in tsunami, other people directly then news/weather website; and mudslide other people directly then news/weather website. There were differences relating to age, gender, household size, education, proximity to the disaster, and type of community.<br><br>The industry focus group confirmed the validity of the model, with ‘filters’ adopted in place of ‘effect of situational factors’, a personalisation trigger was added and the point at which people exit the information-seeking process was also added, with an option to re-enter any time.<br><br>A model of disaster information-seeking was established. It describes information-seeking, influences on source and form choice, and plots triggers for action or further information-seeking. It also accounts for importance of information sources and tendency for people to return to trusted sources throughout the information-seeking process. The model provides a foundation for practice, and is ready for testing in further research.