ERIC Number: EJ1020676
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013-Mar
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1368-1613
EISSN: N/A
Proposed Model of Information Behaviour in Crisis: The Case of Hurricane Sandy
Lopatovska, Irene; Smiley, Bobby
Information Research: An International Electronic Journal, v19 n1 Mar 2014
Introduction: The paper proposes a model of information behaviour in crisis. No previous model has attempted to integrate information resources, information behaviour and needs of the storm-affected communities within the temporal stages of a natural disaster. Method: The study was designed as autoethnography. The data were collected through a diary of author-participant personal experiences and observations conducted prior, during and after Hurricane Sandy in the New York City area in October 2012. Analysis: Using content analysis technique, the data were analysed for the presence of themes related to information needs and behaviour of a storm-affected community as well as available information sources. Results: Based on the analysis of scholarly literature in the emerging field of crisis informatics and data collected during the hurricane, the paper proposes a framework for classifying information needs, information sources, and information behaviour during a crisis. Conclusions: The proposed model enables critical examination of extraordinary situations, revealing strengths and weaknesses of current information infrastructure, and increasing our understanding of information needs and behaviour in emergency situations.
Descriptors: Models, Behavior, Information Needs, Information Sources, Natural Disasters, Classification, Information Science, Diaries, Ethnography, Content Analysis, Participant Observation, Information Seeking
Thomas D. Wilson. 9 Broomfield Road, Broomhill, Sheffield, S10 2SE, UK. Web site: http://informationr.net/ir
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: New York
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A