Date of Graduation
2002
Document Type
Thesis
Abstract
This study examined the current lack of quantitative research in the area of risk communication. This study set out to develop and then validate two different scales that could be used for future research in the area of risk communication. The first scale created in this study is the Risk Communicator Style Scale. The scale is based on the technical and democratic models of risk communication described by Fiorino (1989). This study found a conceptual problem with Fiorino's original conceptualization of technical risk communication. Fiorino's original conceptualization of technical communication tried to equate the use of scientific and statistical information with low affective instruction. While this study did not find validity for Fiorino's conceptualization of technical risk communication, the study does conclude that the technical factor created in this study is a reliable and valid scale for measuring the extent a risk communicator uses scientific and statistical information during risk communication. Once the correction had been made, the two-factor instrument was then correlated with an individual's belief that a risk was harmful, risk communicator immediacy, risk communicator clarity, risk communication apprehension, receiver satisfaction, and perceived risk communicator credibility. The second scale created in this study is the Risk Knowledge Index, which examines an individual's perceived knowledge about a specific risk situation. This single-factor scale was correlated with an individual's belief that a risk was harmful, risk communicator immediacy, risk communicator clarity, risk communication apprehension, receiver satisfaction, and perceived risk communicator credibility.
Recommended Citation
Wrench, Jason Steven, "The development and validity testing of the Risk Communicator Style Scale and the Risk Knowledge Index." (2002). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 10046.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/10046