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Article
Social Media and Disasters: a Functional Framework for Social Media Use in Disaster Planning, Response, and Research
Disasters
  • J. Brian Houston, University of Missouri
  • Joshua Hawthorne, University of Missouri
  • Mildred F. Perreault, University of Missouri
  • Eun Hae Park, University of Missouri
  • Marlo Goldstein Hode, University of Missouri
  • Michael R. Halliwell, University of Missouri
  • Sarah E. Turner McGowen, University of Missouri
  • Rachel Davis, University of Missou
  • Shivani Vaid, University of Missouri
  • Jonathan A. McElderry, University of Missouri
  • Stanford A. Griffith, University of Missouri
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2014
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1111/disa.12092
Abstract

A comprehensive review of online, official, and scientific literature was carried out in 2012–13 to develop a framework of disaster social media. This framework can be used to facilitate the creation of disaster social media tools, the formulation of disaster social media implementation processes, and the scientific study of disaster social media effects. Disaster social media users in the framework include communities, government, individuals, organisations, and media outlets. Fifteen distinct disaster social media uses were identified, ranging from preparing and receiving disaster preparedness information and warnings and signalling and detecting disasters prior to an event to (re)connecting community members following a disaster. The framework illustrates that a variety of entities may utilise and produce disaster social media content. Consequently, disaster social media use can be conceptualised as occurring at a number of levels, even within the same disaster. Suggestions are provided on how the proposed framework can inform future disaster social media development and research.

Citation / Publisher Attribution

Disasters, v. 39, issue 1, p. 1-22

Citation Information
J. Brian Houston, Joshua Hawthorne, Mildred F. Perreault, Eun Hae Park, et al.. "Social Media and Disasters: a Functional Framework for Social Media Use in Disaster Planning, Response, and Research" Disasters Vol. 39 Iss. 1 (2014) p. 1 - 22
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/mildred-perreault/24/