Disasters and Information Source Repertoires: Information Seeking and Information Sufficiency in Postearthquake Haiti

Abstract

This study examines how Haitians used "information source repertoires" to meet information insufficiencies following the 2010 earthquake. Using survey data gained in Haiti, the study explores which demographic and structural factors predicted the number of sources used and combinations of information sources following the disaster. Analysis of the data revealed two distinct repertoires of information sources: a "traditional" repertoire of radio, TV, church, and word of mouth; and an "elite" repertoire of newspapers, the Internet, short-message-service, billboards, and the national police. Results of hierarchical multiple regression analyses showed that demographic variables like education were stronger predictors of information repertoires than conditions like living in a refugee camp or having one's home destroyed. Results also suggested that greater reliance on a traditional repertoire led to decreased information sufficiency. Contrary to previous crisis research, men were found to be more active information seekers than women, suggesting that scholarly knowledge about information seeking and media use after crises in developing nations is limited. Implications for practice are directed at international development and aid organizations in planning postdisaster information provision efforts. earthquake in Haiti was the second-deadliest in the recorded history of the planet. The 7.0 magnitude quake shattered Haiti's already deficient infrastructure, leveled Erich J. Sommerfeldt, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Maryland. His research focuses on activism and the role of strategic communication in civil society.

NOAA Radios and Neighbourhood Networks: Demographic Factors for Channel Preference for Hurricane Evacuation Information

“…The finding that females reported that they would use more sources for gathering information about a hurricane evacuation is counter to findings by Sommerfeldt (), in which ‘Men were more likely to spend more time using information sources… and have a larger range of daily information sources than women’ (p. 11). Although we did not ask participants the amount of time they would spend gathering information, we found that men tended to report that they would rely on fewer information sources.…”

“…The finding that females reported that they would use more sources for gathering information about a hurricane evacuation is counter to findings by Sommerfeldt (2015), in which 'Men were more likely to spend more time using information sources. .…”

“…The findings about minority respondents' modality preferences support findings by Spence et al. (), while the findings about females and multi‐modal gathering is counter to some research by Sommerfeldt (). More important, we posit that multi‐channel information preferences may impact time to gather information, which may ultimately impact length of time to make decisions for protective action and should therefore timing of information gathering and processing should be a key aspect of future research hurricane evacuation studies.…”

Digital disparities and vulnerability: mobile phone use, information behaviour, and disaster preparedness in Southeast Asia

“…The literature on the warning-response process recommends disseminating warning messages through multiple channels to aid preparedness behaviour (Sharma et al, 2009;Sheppard, Janoske, and Liu, 2012). The work of Sommerfeldt (2015) revealed that people variously used the internet, newspapers, radio, short message service (SMS), television, and word of mouth to gather information after the devastating earthquake in Haiti on 12 January 2010. The model of information repertoires proposes that individuals use different sources (such as interpersonal communication, newspapers, or television) to obtain information on a topic of interest (Reagan, 1996).…”

“…Research has shown that demographic factors such as age, education, and sex are predictors of risk information seeking in routine and non-routine situations, as well as of disaster preparedness (see, for example, O'Keefe, Ward, and Shepard, 2002;Spence, Lachlan, and Burke, 2008;Perreault, Houston, and Wilkins, 2014;Sommerfeldt, 2015;Kirschenbaum, Rapaport, and Canetti, 2017). Research has shown that demographic factors such as age, education, and sex are predictors of risk information seeking in routine and non-routine situations, as well as of disaster preparedness (see, for example, O'Keefe, Ward, and Shepard, 2002;Spence, Lachlan, and Burke, 2008;Perreault, Houston, and Wilkins, 2014;Sommerfeldt, 2015;Kirschenbaum, Rapaport, and Canetti, 2017).…”