Quick response research is deployed by disaster social scientists. QRR consists of face-to-face interviews, direct observations, gathering field documents, and capturing images that are all related to the disaster and the direct/involved public response to it. 

Quick Response Research (QRR)

Considered a subcategory of Sociology disaster researchers uses mainly qualitative methods to record/capture perishable data that arises in social fields (comunication/social media) during non-rotuine situations (disasters/crises).  

Albion College

Crisis informatics is a field of study that looks at the way the public uses social media and information technology during a crisis. More specifically how technology connects people and organizations to relevant information and how technology is used to create new ways of communication.  

Crisis Informatics

- Criminology
- Economic Sociology
- Disaster Studies
- Globalization

Major Subjects within Sociology

Palen, L., S. Vieweg, J. Sutton, S.B. Liu & A. Hughes (2007). Crisis Informatics: Studying Crisis in a Networked World. Third International Conference on e-Social Science, Ann Arbor, Michigan, October 7-9, 2007.

Crisis Informatics: Studying Crisis in a Networked World

Collective Intelligence in the modern age is having a big impact on how crises are seen and dealt with. Scholars are interested in how social media plays a role in the creation of collective intelligence during a crisis.  

Using Collective Intelligence in Crises

Clicktivism is a way that individuals can show support for different political and social causes through social media posts and petitions. This type of support requires little to no effort or commitment and often looked down upon because of it.

Clicktivism

1. Economic Crisis
2. Cultural/Social Crisis
3. Political Crisis
4. Natural Disasters 
5. Terrorism 
6. Pandemic or widespread disease 
7. Nuclear or Chemical Crisis
8. War 

Types of Crisis

1. Too much or not enough (needed) information
2. The types of information needed during a crisis changes at various stages of the crisis
3. All the actors and organizations who are involved are constantly increasing the amount of information 
4. Creating a channel for information to be easily shared with the right individuals
5. Creating connections between informal and formal channels 
6. Uncertainty of the reliability of the information 
7. Uncertainty of the trustworthiness of sources
8. Dealing with conflicting information 

Information Challenges during a Crisis 

1. Examing and understanding the importance of knowledge in the different stages during crisis response and recovery
2. Create a system that can analyze the information-seeking procedures and information needs during a crisis
3. Learn about how technology can support communities going through a crisis
4. Understanding how technology impacts the integration and organization of information 

Goals of the Crisis Informatics Feild

During a crisis, social media is used to spread information. Anyone can take part in the spreading of information which can be bad. Trust during a crisis is important and if individuals' social media posts are not regulated or fact-checked like those belonging to an organization or agency misinformation spreads. Rumor's and misinformation can cause panic and lead to resources being spent on false leads.

Social Media is Unregulated: Double-edge Sword 

Disaster Studies

Study of etiology, prevention, control, and treatment of crime/delinquency, including detecting and measuring; crime, legislation, criminal law practice, law enforcement, judicial, and the correctional system.

Criminology

Economic sociology is the application of sociological concepts and methods to analyze the production, distribution, exchange, and consumption of goods and services; in particular, economic sociology studies the relationships between societies, economic activities, and institutional changes that contextualize and condition economic activity. 

Economic Sociology

Globalization is a process of economic, political, and cultural integration that is occurring between countries and peoples around the world. It is driven by advancements in technology, communication, transportation, and trade, and is leading to increased interdependence, cross-border transactions, and the spread of ideas and cultures.

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