Weather Forecast Semiotics: Public Interpretation of Common Weather Icons

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan A. Jasko ◽  
Jason C. Senkbeil
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Weather Forecast ◽  
Heavy Rain ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Interpretation ◽  
Weather Information ◽  
Probability Of Precipitation ◽  
Study Offer

Abstract Weather icons are some of the most frequently used visual tools meteorologists employ to communicate weather information. Previous research has shown a tendency for the public to make inferences about weather forecast information based on the icon shown. For example, people may infer a higher likelihood of precipitation, assume a higher intensity of precipitation, or determine the duration of expected precipitation if the weather icon appears to show heavy rain. It is unknown to what extent these inferences align with what the meteorologist who chose the icon intended to convey. However, previous studies have used simulated weather icons rather than ones currently in use. The goal of our study was to explore how members of the public interpret actual weather icons they see on television or in mobile applications. An online survey distributed by broadcast meteorologists through social media was used to collect 6,253 responses between August and September of 2020. Eleven weather icons currently used by broadcast meteorologists were included in the study. We also tested eight common weather phrases and asked people whether they thought the icons were good illustrators of those phrases. Additionally, people were asked to assign a probability of precipitation (PoP) to the icons. The findings of our study offer new and unique insights that will improve the communication of weather information by giving meteorologists information about how their audiences interpret weather icons.

Modifying the Extended Forecast Graphic to Improve Comprehension

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-66
Author(s):  
Jacob R. Reed ◽  
Jason C. Senkbeil
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Current Version ◽  
The Public ◽  
Weather Information ◽  
Intensity Information ◽  
Public Data ◽  
Probability Of Precipitation

AbstractThe extended forecast graphic (EFG) is a popular graphic used by meteorologists to convey weather information, but it is poorly understood by the public. Deficiencies in the format, content, and presentation of the EFG contribute to a decrease in the efficacy of this graphic and reduce the comprehension of weather information. The format of the EFG has largely gone unchanged since the graphic first became popular more than four decades ago. The goal of this research was to modify the format of the existing EFG to address current limitations that inhibit understanding and create confusion among the public. Data were gathered from an online survey of the public (n = 885). Four modified versions of the EFG were developed, evaluated, and compared with the existing EFG. Removing probability of precipitation (PoP) information, reducing the number of days shown, and switching to a horizontal layout featuring timing and intensity information resulted in higher percentages for comprehension of weather information and positive comments when compared with the current version. A majority of participants responded that forecasters could accurately predict the weather 3 days out, providing justification for the reduction in number of days shown in the modified EFGs. Results suggest that agencies and members of the meteorological community should continue evaluating and discussing the most effective ways to use graphics to convey weather information to their audiences.

scholarly journals Not all world leaders use Twitter in response to the COVID-19 pandemic: impact of the way of Angela Merkel on psychological distress, behaviour and risk perception

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 644-646 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Teufel ◽  
Adam Schweda ◽  
Nora Dörrie ◽  
Venja Musche ◽  
Madeleine Hetkamp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Risk Perception ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Political Influence ◽  
German Population ◽  
The Public ◽  
Angela Merkel ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Anxiety Depression

Abstract At a time of growing governmental restrictions and ‘physical distancing’ in order to decelerate the spread of COVID-19, psychological challenges are increasing. Social media plays an important role in maintaining social contact as well as exerting political influence. World leaders use it not only to keep citizens informed but also to boost morale and manage people’s fears. However, some leaders do not follow this approach; an example is the German Chancellor. In a large online survey, we aimed to determine levels of COVID-19 fear, generalized anxiety, depression, safety behaviour, trust in government and risk perception in Germany. A total of 12 244 respondents participated during the period of restraint and the public shutdown in March 2020. Concurrent with the German Chancellor’s speech, a reduction of anxiety and depression was noticeable in the German population. It appears that, in addition to using social media platforms like Twitter, different—and sometimes more conservative—channels for providing information can also be effective.

scholarly journals Perception and Comprehension of the Extended Forecast Graphic: A Survey of Broadcast Meteorologists and the Public

2020 ◽  
Vol 101 (2) ◽  
pp. E221-E236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob R. Reed ◽  
Jason C. Senkbeil
Keyword(s):  
Risk Communication ◽  
Low Temperatures ◽  
General Public ◽  
Weather Forecast ◽  
The Public ◽  
Weather Events ◽  
Public Data ◽  
Adverse Weather ◽  
High And Low Temperatures ◽  
Probability Of Precipitation

Abstract There have been multiple efforts in recent years to simplify visual weather forecast products, with the goal of more efficient risk communication for the general public. Many meteorological forecast products, such as the cone of uncertainty, storm surge graphics, warning polygons, and Storm Prediction Center (SPC) convective outlooks, have created varying levels of public confusion resulting in revisions, modifications, and improvements. However, the perception and comprehension of private weather graphics produced by television stations has been largely overlooked in peer-reviewed research. The goal of this study is to explore how the extended forecast graphic, more commonly known as the 7, 10 day, etc., is utilized by broadcasters and understood by the public. Data were gathered from surveys with the general public and also from broadcast meteorologists. Results suggest this graphic is a source of confusion and highlights a disconnect between the meteorologists producing the graphic and the content prioritized by their audiences. Specifically, timing and intensity of any precipitation or adverse weather events are the two most important variables to consider from the viewpoint of the public. These variables are generally absent from the extended forecast graphic, thus forcing the public to draw their own conclusions, which may differ from what the meteorologist intends to convey. Other results suggest the placement of forecast high and low temperatures, use of probability of precipitation, icon inconsistency, and length of time the graphic is shown also contribute to public confusion and misunderstanding.

Understanding public libraries’ challenges, motivators, and perceptions toward the use of social media for marketing

2018 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Namjoo Choi ◽  
Soohyung Joo
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Current State ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
Library Marketing

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify challenges and motivators to social media adoption for marketing purposes in public libraries and to investigate how these libraries perceive the importance of social media marketing. Design/methodology/approach A nation-wide online survey on public libraries in the USA was conducted to carry out this study, and a total number of 470 responses were used for data analysis. Findings This study determined a range of challenges and motivators to implementing social media for marketing in public libraries. The results also showed that public libraries perceive social media as an important tool for their library marketing and intend to increase their use. Practical implications The findings from this study can serve as a guideline for public libraries when employing social media for marketing purposes in their libraries. Originality/value This study assessed the current state of social media use for marketing in the public library context, a context that has been under-researched in the literature, from three perspectives: challenges, motivators, and perceptions.

scholarly journals Social Media Data Analytics to Enhance Sustainable Communications between Public Users and Providers in Weather Forecast Service Industry

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (20) ◽  
pp. 8528
Author(s):  
Ki-Kwang Lee ◽  
In-Gyum Kim
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Textual Analysis ◽  
Service Industry ◽  
Weather Forecast ◽  
Forecast Errors ◽  
Social Media Data ◽  
The Public ◽  
Rain Events ◽  
Industry Needs ◽  
Media Data

The weather forecast service industry needs to understand customers’ opinions of the weather forecast to enhance sustainable communication between forecast providers and recipients particularly influenced by inherent uncertainty in the forecast itself and cultural factors. This study aims to investigate the potential for using social media data to analyze users’ opinions of the wrong weather forecast. Twitter data from Korea in 2014 are analyzed using textual analysis and association rule mining to extract meaningful emotions or behaviors from weather forecast users. The results of textual analysis show that the frequency of negative opinions is considerably high compared to positive opinions. More than half of the tweets mention precipitation forecasts among the meteorological phenomena, implying that most Koreans are sensitive to rain events. Moreover, association rules extracted from the negative tweets reveal a pattern of user criticism according to the seasons and types of forecast errors such as a “false alarm” or “miss” error. This study shows that social media data can provide valuable information on the actual opinion of the forecast users in almost real time, enabling the weather forecast providers to communicate effectively with the public.

scholarly journals Eye Tracking: Evaluating the Impact of Gesturing during Televised Weather Forecasts

2015 ◽  
Vol 96 (3) ◽  
pp. 387-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Drost ◽  
Jay Trobec ◽  
Christy Steffke ◽  
Julie Libarkin
Keyword(s):  
Eye Tracking ◽  
Weather Forecast ◽  
Weather Forecasts ◽  
The Public ◽  
Weather Information ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Physical Gestures ◽  
Areas Of Interest ◽  
The Second Variation ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Televised media is one of the most frequently accessed sources of weather information. The local weathercaster is the link between weather information and the public, and as such weathercaster characteristics, from vocal cadence to physical appearance, can impact viewer understanding. This study considers the role of weathercaster gesturing on viewer attention during weather forecasts. Two variations of a typical weather forecast were viewed by a total of 36 students during an eye tracking session. The first forecast variation contained physical gestures toward forecast text by the newscaster (Gesture condition) while the second variation contained minimal gesturing (No Gesture condition). Following each eye tracking session, students completed a retention survey related to the forecast. These data were used to identify areas of interest to which students attended during viewing and to ascertain how well the forecast was retained across the gesturing treatments. Study results suggest that the weathercaster’s gesturing during forecasts may have induced confusion among participants, but did not affect retention of the weather information investigated in the study. Gesturing diverted attention from other areas of interest within the forecast by encouraging participants to focus on the weathercaster’s hands. This study indicates that minor modifications to weathercaster behavior can produce significant changes in viewer behavior.

scholarly journals Effects of Media Feminist Approaches on Youth

2020 ◽  
Vol Volume 4 (Issue 3) ◽  
pp. 392-404
Author(s):  
Dr. Shahid Minhas ◽  
Adnan Shahid ◽  
Uzman Ali
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Sexual Orientation ◽  
Gender Equality ◽  
Digital Media ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Media Content ◽  
The Public ◽  
Web Series ◽  
Effects Of Media ◽  
Feminist Movements

Feminism is tied in with examining sexual orientation contrasts and in regards to supplementing the job of genders in the public eye. Being a feminist it is just having faith in equivalent rights for all sexes. It's not tied in with detesting men. It's not about ladies being superior to men. It's not tied in with shunning womanliness. Pakistani Media is promoting western term of feminism and have recently launched the first feminism based web series CHURAILS. Four women run an office calling themselves CHURAILS. At the point when one of them disappears, their investigation drives them to something a lot greater than themselves. The purpose of this study is to analyze the perceptive of Pakistani youth on feminism, also the effect of feminism on youth, and to explore the digital media content on feminism in Pakistan. An online survey is conducted through social media to which 150 respondents of age 16-30 year old responded. This study highlights that the youngsters of Pakistan are fully aware of the term Feminism and support gender equality. In which the 41% of youth agreed with the concept of gender equality concept of feminism. But the Pakistani Media is portraying the western feminism which is destroying our culture, norms and religious value. This study shows that the wrongly portrayed feminism by Pakistani Media is causing discomfort in gender which will affect the feminist movements in future. This study also shows that web series like CHURAILS is promoting vulgarity among the youngsters.

Fandom, forgiveness and future support: YouTube apologies as crisis communication

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Jean Kelso Sandlin ◽  
Monica L. Gracyalny
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Psychological Research ◽  
Crisis Response ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Public Figure ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Relational Outcomes

PurposeThis study examined how audience characteristics and attitudes relate to their perceptions of sincerity and forgiveness of apologies by public figures posted on YouTube.Design/methodology/approachFour hundred twenty-seven adult participants recruited through Amazon's Mechanical Turk completed an online survey via Qualtrics. Participants were randomly assigned to view two of four public figure apologies posted on YouTube.FindingsResults indicated that audience fandom and perceived reputation and attractiveness of the public figure were related to perceptions of sincerity and forgiveness; and perceptions of sincerity and forgiveness were related to intentions of future support.Research limitations/implications“Sameness” between the public figure and audience did not garner a more favorable response to the apology, and this is not consistent with earlier studies. For race similarity, the results could have been a reflection of the low number of non-White participants. However, results could indicate that “sameness” is not as simplistic as demographic sameness, such as race, sex or age.Practical implicationsThe authors’ findings elevate the importance of gathering and benchmarking pre-crisis attitudinal research to better equip and inform communication professionals for crisis response. In addition, the study suggests that a public figure's strong reputation and fanbase provide a type of inoculation, lessening reputational damage.Social implicationsThe finding that perceived attractiveness relates positively to perceptions of sincerity and forgiveness is consistent with psychological research indicating attractiveness has many positive social implications – even in mediated communication.Originality/valueEvidence suggests social media apologies matter. Communication professionals need to approach apology opportunities with a keen awareness that relational outcomes and intentions of future support can shift based on social media audiences' attitudes related to the public figure.

scholarly journals Through the Eyes of the Experts: Meteorologists’ Perceptions of the Probability of Precipitation

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan E. Stewart ◽  
Castle A. Williams ◽  
Minh D. Phan ◽  
Alexandra L. Horst ◽  
Evan D. Knox ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Professional Community ◽  
Atmospheric Science ◽  
The Public ◽  
Consistent Manner ◽  
Science Community ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Model Output Statistics ◽  
Probability Of Precipitation ◽  
Time Frames

Abstract Prior surveys of the public indicated that a variety of meanings and interpretations exist about the probability of precipitation (PoP). Does the same variety of meanings for the PoP exist among members of the professional atmospheric science community? What do members of the professional community think that the public should know to understand the PoP more fully? These questions were examined in a survey of 188 meteorologists and broadcasters. Meteorologists were observed to express a variety of different definitions of the PoP and also indicated a high degree of confidence in the accuracy of their definitions. Differences in the definitions stemmed from the way the PoP was derived from model output statistics, parsing of a 12-h PoP over shorter time frames, and generalizing from a point PoP to a wider coverage warning area. In this regard 43% of the online survey respondents believed that there was no or very little consistency in the definition of PoP; only 8% believed that the PoP definition has been used in a consistent manner. The respondents believed that the PoP was limited in its value to the general public because, on average, those surveyed believed that only about 22% of the population had an accurate conception of the PoP. These results imply that the atmospheric science community should work to achieve a wider consensus about the meaning of the PoP. Further, until meteorologists develop a consistent conception of the PoP and disseminate it, the public’s understanding of PoP-based forecasts may remain fuzzy.

scholarly journals A Novel Framework for Sustainable Traffic Safety Programs Using the Public as Sensors of Hazardous Road Information

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 3892
Author(s):  
Younshik Chung ◽  
Minsu Won
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Citizen Participation ◽  
Traffic Safety ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Time Lag ◽  
Near Miss ◽  
Near Misses ◽  
Crash Data ◽  
The Public ◽  
Improvement Programs

Traditionally, traffic safety improvement programs (TSIPs) have been based on the number of crashes at a specific location or their severity. However, the crash datasets used for such programs are obtained from the police and include two limitations: not all crashes are collected by the police (most minor and near-miss crashes are not reported), and the traditional process uses crash data recorded for the past two or three years (meaning most data inevitably include a time lag). To overcome these limitations, this study proposes a new approach for a TSIP based on citizen participation through an online survey that is broadcasted through social media. The method uses the public as sensors of hazardous road information, which means that information can be collected on individual experiences of minor crashes and latent risk factors, such as near misses and traffic conflicts. To demonstrate this approach, a case study was carried out in a small district in the city of Goyang, Korea, which has one of the highest usage rates of social media technologies. The proposed method and a traditional method were both assessed.

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