This exploratory study examines potential knowledge gaps in natural disaster preparedness across socioeconomic groups in Lee County, Alabama and identifies communication barriers affecting response behavior through the lens of the knowledge gap hypothesis. Survey data from 20 residents were analyzed using an objective socioeconomic status (OSES) score based on household income and highest level of education. Results indicate that while most respondents reported access to weather alerts and favorable behavioral responses that align with current guidelines from the National Weather Service, gaps are present in comprehension, response timing, and engagement in risky behavior that could delay protective action. Findings suggest preparedness is influenced not only by socioeconomic factors but also communication effectiveness, suggesting a need for clearer, multi-channeled warning systems.
","abstract_html":"<p>This exploratory study examines potential knowledge gaps in natural disaster preparedness across socioeconomic groups in Lee County, Alabama and identifies communication barriers affecting response behavior through the lens of the knowledge gap hypothesis. Survey data from 20 residents were analyzed using an objective socioeconomic status (OSES) score based on household income and highest level of education. Results indicate that while most respondents reported access to weather alerts and favorable behavioral responses that align with current guidelines from the National Weather Service, gaps are present in comprehension, response timing, and engagement in risky behavior that could delay protective action. Findings suggest preparedness is influenced not only by socioeconomic factors but also communication effectiveness, suggesting a need for clearer, multi-channeled warning systems.</p>","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Repass, Michelle S."],"institution":null,"degree_name":"Communication - Communication Studies Track","degree_level":"Thesis","degree_discipline":"Communication Department","degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":["Dr. Ramesh Rao","Dr. Mariko Izumi","Dr. Benjamin Baker"],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2026,"date_issued":"2026-01-01T08:00:00Z","date_published":"2026-01-01T08:00:00Z","updated_at":"2026-07-24T01:45:25Z","subjects":["natural disaster preparedness","socioeconomic status","knowledge gap hypothesis","Lee County","Alabama","Communication","Mass Communication"],"languages":["English"],"rights":[],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[]},"links":{"outbound_url":"https://csuepress.columbusstate.edu/theses_dissertations/777","outbound_label":"Repository record","outbound_source":"dc:identifier"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor","label":"Contributor","values":["Dr. Ramesh Rao","Dr. Mariko Izumi","Dr. Benjamin Baker"]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Repass, Michelle S."]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"thesis:degree_discipline","label":"Discipline","values":["Communication Department"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_level","label":"Degree Level","values":["Thesis"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_name","label":"Degree Name","values":["Communication - Communication Studies Track"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["natural disaster preparedness","socioeconomic status","knowledge gap hypothesis","Lee County","Alabama","Communication","Mass Communication"]}]},{"id":"language_rights","label":"Language and Rights","entries":[{"key":"dc:language","label":"Dc Language","values":["English"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier","label":"Identifier","values":["https://csuepress.columbusstate.edu/theses_dissertations/777"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["This exploratory study examines potential knowledge gaps in natural disaster preparedness across socioeconomic groups in Lee County, Alabama and identifies communication barriers affecting response behavior through the lens of the knowledge gap hypothesis. Survey data from 20 residents were analyzed using an objective socioeconomic status (OSES) score based on household income and highest level of education. Results indicate that while most respondents reported access to weather alerts and favorable behavioral responses that align with current guidelines from the National Weather Service, gaps are present in comprehension, response timing, and engagement in risky behavior that could delay protective action. Findings suggest preparedness is influenced not only by socioeconomic factors but also communication effectiveness, suggesting a need for clearer, multi-channeled warning systems.
"]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["Determining Knowledge Gaps in Natural Disaster Preparedness: An Exploratory Analysis of Socioeconomic Variables and Response Quality"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor":["Dr. Ramesh Rao","Dr. Mariko Izumi","Dr. Benjamin Baker"],"dc:creator":["Repass, Michelle S."],"dc:description.abstract":["This exploratory study examines potential knowledge gaps in natural disaster preparedness across socioeconomic groups in Lee County, Alabama and identifies communication barriers affecting response behavior through the lens of the knowledge gap hypothesis. Survey data from 20 residents were analyzed using an objective socioeconomic status (OSES) score based on household income and highest level of education. Results indicate that while most respondents reported access to weather alerts and favorable behavioral responses that align with current guidelines from the National Weather Service, gaps are present in comprehension, response timing, and engagement in risky behavior that could delay protective action. Findings suggest preparedness is influenced not only by socioeconomic factors but also communication effectiveness, suggesting a need for clearer, multi-channeled warning systems.
"],"dc:identifier":["https://csuepress.columbusstate.edu/theses_dissertations/777"],"dc:language":["English"],"dc:subject":["natural disaster preparedness","socioeconomic status","knowledge gap hypothesis","Lee County","Alabama","Communication","Mass Communication"],"dc:title":["Determining Knowledge Gaps in Natural Disaster Preparedness: An Exploratory Analysis of Socioeconomic Variables and Response Quality"],"thesis:degree_discipline":["Communication Department"],"thesis:degree_level":["Thesis"],"thesis:degree_name":["Communication - Communication Studies Track"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-24T01:45:25Z"}