Relationships Are Built on Sunny Days: Uncovering Quiet Weather Communication Strategies

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brooke Fisher Liu ◽  
Anita Atwell Seate ◽  
Ji Youn Kim ◽  
Daniel Hawblitzel ◽  
Saymin Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Risk Communication ◽  
Communication Strategies ◽  
Strategic Communication ◽  
Severe Weather ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Virtual Focus Groups

AbstractThis study proposes the concept of quiet weather communication and offers the first framework of quiet weather communication strategies tied to specific public outcomes (e.g., build and maintain organization-public relationships). Most of the risk communication literature focuses on severe weather communication. We posit that through defining and examining quiet weather strategic communication we can better understand how the Weather Enterprise can prepare communities for future severe weather. Through four virtual focus groups with 28 NWS and broadcast meteorologists, we operationalize quiet weather communication strategies (humanize the organization, provide weather education, share the love of blue skies, and showcase quiet weather trends). We then report meteorologists’ perceptions of the strengths and weaknesses of each strategy and propose future directions for research on quiet weather communication.

scholarly journals Government Communication Strategies during Coronavirus Pandemic: United Arab Emirates Lessons

2021 ◽  
pp. 097206342098309
Author(s):  
Ahmed Farouk Radwan ◽  
Sheren Ali Mousa
Keyword(s):  
Health Communication ◽  
Risk Communication ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Communication Strategies ◽  
The State ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Individual Responsibility ◽  
Communication Model ◽  
Digital Platforms ◽  
Government Communication

Government communication introduced important lessons during the worldwide experience with the COVID-19 pandemic. It is important to apply known efficacious principles of risk and health communication strategies. The purpose of the study is to depict and explore the United Arab Emirates government communication scenario in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic as well as look at the types of strategies, information and messages delivered via digital mediums to handle challenges that are raised based on the Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication model. The study includes a qualitative analysis of two government bodies’ digital platforms: ‘The Ministry of Health and Prevention’ (mohap) and ‘Crisis and Disasters Management Authority’. Results indicated that the UAE government used different communication aims and strategies to face the pandemic according to the risk management scenario. In the quarantine phase, communication focused on giving people information about the disease, raising awareness about the disease, motivating health and behaviour change, informing people about government decisions and procedures. In the coexistence phase communication focused on emphasising the necessity of adherence the health measures, providing information on re-work in institutions and commercial centres, involving people in the health and social initiatives, confronting non-compliance with health precautions. Government communication also focused on facing rumours and false information. UAE government communication used digital platforms and social media to address more than 200 nationalities living in the state for ensuring that they adhere to the precautionary measures and coordinate with the authorities. Government communication was committed to a set of values including equality between citizens of the state and residents, societal and individual responsibility, recognising the frontline medical staff and acknowledging their sacrifices. UAE implemented an integrated, coherent and effective scenario to deal with the crisis. It developed risk communication strategies in health communication to manage the COVID-19 crisis by following international standards and also took into account its own political, economic, social and cultural features. The UAE government used many strategies to inform and convince people including clarification of measures strategy, reassurance strategy, ambiguity reduction strategy, behaviour efficacy strategy, correcting misinformation and rumours, advising strategy.

Navigating the online world of lifestyle health information: an adolescent perspective (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Raeside ◽  
Si Si Jia ◽  
Julie Redfern ◽  
Stephanie R Partridge
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Life Stage ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Digital Platforms ◽  
Virtual Focus Groups ◽  
Online Lifestyle

BACKGROUND Adolescence is a critical life stage characterised by an interplay of biological, social and environmental factors. Such factors influence lifestyle health related trajectories, including dietary behaviours, physical activity levels, body weight and sleep hygiene. Generation Z (born 1995-2015) are the most internet-dependent and technologically savvy generation in history with increasing rates of smartphone ownership in both developed and developing nations. Gaps exist in our understanding of what online platforms adolescents are using and the barriers and facilitators of these platforms to seek lifestyle health information. OBJECTIVE We evaluated adolescents’ perceptions on the use of contemporary digital platforms (websites, social media platforms and smartphone apps) to seek information or advice related to lifestyle heath. METHODS Virtual focus groups were held via Zoom teleconference between July to August 2021. Eligible participants were 13-18 years, living in Australia and had searched for online lifestyle health information in the previous three months. For this study, lifestyle health information referred to key behaviours and risk factors for chronic disease, namely, diet, physical activity, weight management and sleep. Participants were recruited through an existing database of research participants and networks of the research team. Focus groups were analysed using the Framework approach, where data is systematically searched to recognize patterns in the data and manage, analyse and identify themes. Focus group audio files were transcribed verbatim and independently coded by two researchers (RR, SJ). Through an iterative and reflexive process, a final coding matrix was agreed on by all researchers and used to thematically analyse the data. RESULTS Five focus groups were held (n=32, mean age 16.3(1.4), 18/32, 56% female, 13/32, 41% spoke language other than English at home). Thematic analysis revealed participants searched for information both actively (e.g., on Google or YouTube) and passively (e.g., scrolling social media and using existing apps preloaded to their smartphone such as Apple ‘Health’, Samsung ‘Health’ or ‘Google Fit’ apps). Participants identified that the most helpful information was well-organised in terms of aesthetic appeal and layout, came from a credible and reliable source (e.g. any sponsorships disclosed) and expressed the need for the information to be relatable. Mixed views were reported for the application of lifestyle health information found online. Some participants reported behaviour change, while others noted that certain advice was hard to maintain and incorporate into their lifestyle. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the abundance and complexity of lifestyle health information online for adolescents. Adolescents in the digital age seek access to information that is appealing, credible, relevant and actionable for lifestyle health behaviours. To appeal to the needs of adolescents, future interventions for adolescents relating to lifestyle health must consider co-design methodological approaches. Furthermore, the regulation of lifestyle health information available online warrants further investigation.

Faculty's Examination of Virtual Learning Strategies to Communicate With Students

2017 ◽  
pp. 42-60
Author(s):  
Cassandra Louise Sligh Conway ◽  
Yvonne Sims ◽  
Audrey McCrary Quarles ◽  
Diane M. Burnette ◽  
Stanley Melton Harris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
Communication Strategies ◽  
Virtual Learning ◽  
Effective Communication ◽  
Virtual Learning Environments ◽  
Communication Process ◽  
Future Directions

Faculty's examination of virtual learning strategies to communicate with students is essential. Virtual learning is an innovative way to work with student s in higher education. The purpose of this effort is as follows: a) note strategies that can enhance the communication process with students and faculty during the virtual learning process; b) provide a review of contemporary research on virtual learning and activities; c) provide narratives from faculty in higher education that provide virtual learning environments and effective communication strategies to students. Authors from multiple disciplines provide their perceptions of virtual learning and some challenges or experiences in implementing activities to communicate with students in higher education. Their perception of using this type of learning with students is shared and common themes are discussed. In all efforts, there is a discussion of the benefits, purpose, and implications of this type of learning. Recommendations, strategies and future directions are presented.

scholarly journals Implementation of virtual focus groups for qualitative data collection in a global pandemic

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabel C. Dos Santos Marques ◽  
Lauren M. Theiss ◽  
Cynthia Y. Johnson ◽  
Elise McLin ◽  
Beth A. Ruf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Virtual Focus Groups ◽  
Qualitative Data Collection

Applying Pattern Theory in the Effective Management of Virtual Projects

2008 ◽  
pp. 93-112
Author(s):  
Ilze Zigurs ◽  
Deepack Khazanchi
Keyword(s):  
Project Management ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Effective Management ◽  
Pattern Theory ◽  
Virtual Focus Groups ◽  
Unified View ◽  
Virtual Project ◽  
Theoretical Frame ◽  
Virtual Projects

The management of virtual projects is fundamentally different from that of traditional projects. Furthermore, the research in this area comes from different reference disciplines and perspectives, and a unified view or theory of best practices does not yet exist. We use the theoretical frame of patterns to propose a unified view. We focus on three concepts as the underlying theoretical elements for identifying patterns of effectiveness in virtual project management: (a) coordination, (b) communication, and (c) control. As a first step in the identification of specific patterns, we conducted a series of virtual focus groups with participants from industry who had real experience with virtual projects. The brainstorming data from the focus groups were analyzed to develop an initial set of patterns. Based on this first step, we also present a structured process for the discovery and continuing validation of patterns of effectiveness in virtual projects, and discuss the issues involved in applying the process.

scholarly journals Communicating the Risks and Benefits of Human Urine-Derived Fertilizer

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (23) ◽  
pp. 9973
Author(s):  
Alex Segrè Cohen ◽  
Nancy G. Love ◽  
Joseph Árvai
Keyword(s):  
Risk Communication ◽  
Human Urine ◽  
Communication Strategies ◽  
Consumer Acceptance ◽  
Public Acceptance ◽  
Global Challenge ◽  
Urine Diversion ◽  
Phosphorus And Potassium ◽  
Nitrogen Phosphorus

Ensuring long-term access to nutrients needed for food production is a growing global challenge. Human urine diversion and recycling is a viable and energy-efficient means of recovering nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium from wastewater. Before implementation, however, it is critical to understand how communicating differently about human urine-derived fertilizer may influence its public acceptance. This study tests how different strategies of communication (video compared to texts), as well as different amounts of information, impact public acceptance. We also explored how specific characteristics, such as age and education level, may impact the usefulness of the different strategies of communication. The results indicate that short and long videos are the most useful risk communication strategies, and age fully moderates this relationship. This research may serve as a jumping off point for future studies focused on how risk communication strategies may affect consumer acceptance of other emerging food technologies.

scholarly journals Designing a risk communication strategy for health hazards posed by traditional slaughter of goats in Tshwane, South Africa

2014 ◽  
Vol 85 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel N. Qekwana ◽  
Cheryl M.E. McCrindle ◽  
James W. Oguttu
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Risk Communication ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
Communication Strategies ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Communication Strategy ◽  
Demographic Profile ◽  
Ancestor Veneration ◽  
Risk Mitigation Strategies

In African societies, traditional slaughter is linked to celebrations like weddings or births, as well as funerals and ancestor veneration. Participants in traditional slaughter of goats are at risk of exposure to hazards during slaughter, food preparation and consumption of goat meat. For risk mitigation strategies to be implemented, identification of the population at risk is required. This study is based on the premise that the demographic profile of people involved in traditional slaughter of goats is important for risk communication. Both structured and informal interviews were recorded and analysed using a thematic analysis. A total of 105 people were interviewed at taxi ranks in Tshwane, Gauteng. Of these, 48 were women and 57 men. The median age of women and men was 40.6 years and 44.3 years, respectively. The majority of respondents (61.9%, n = 65) interviewed were from the Gauteng Province. Sixty percent (n = 63) of respondents had a secondary education, whilst less than 4.81% (n = 5) of respondents had no formal education. This study demonstrated that interviewing commuters at taxi ranks gave access to a cross section of gender, age, language and origin. It was found that both genders were involved in traditional slaughter of goats. Risk communication strategies should thus target women as well as men. Communication strategies to mitigate the risks of traditional slaughter of goats should take into consideration the dynamic nature of demographic and cultural norms. In light of the wide demographic profile of the respondents, it was concluded that it should be possible to use taxi ranks for successful dissemination of food safety and occupational health risk mitigation messages.

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