Examples of Research (found throughout this course) This page contains a listing of links to the examples of research located throughout this course by slide. Slide titles are listed below. Click the titles to access the related resource.

NOAA Social Science Questions .................................................................................................................... 2

Social Science @NOAA .................................................................................................................................. 4

Research Process: Storm Surge..................................................................................................................... 6

Social Science Research Comprehension ...................................................................................................... 6

A Valid & Reliable Study ................................................................................................................................ 7

Human Subject Research Slides .................................................................................................................... 8

Other Types of Research ............................................................................................................................. 10

Working Together ....................................................................................................................................... 11

Another Example ........................................................................................................................................ 11

Research Example ....................................................................................................................................... 11

Application Example ................................................................................................................................... 12

Best Practices for Working with Social Scientists ....................................................................................... 12

NOAA Social Science Questions

How does offshore wind energy development impact coastal communities? https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/project/assessing-social-values-offshore-wind-energy-areas-north-south-carolina/

Assessing Social Values Relative to Offshore Wind Energy Areas off North & South Carolina Research Area(s): Marine Spatial Ecology; Social Science / Assessing Human Use

Region(s) of Study: Waterbodies / Atlantic Ocean; U.S. States and Territories / North Carolina, South Carolina

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s (BOEM’s) Office of Renewable Energy Programs oversees development of offshore renewable energy projects on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). BOEM has identified wind energy areas (WEAs) on the OCS of North Carolina and is in the process of locating WEAs in South Carolina. NCCOS is assessing the values and activities of coastal residents, to characterize and monitor the complex interactions between society, the environment, and energy development projects.

Each year, more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other weather hazard. Why?

Data: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/hazstats.shtml

Various Research Projects: http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/research/flood/

How do we get people to eat more local fish? (Wisconsin) http://eatwisconsinfish.org/about/

Various research articles:

http://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/home/Topics/FishandFisheries.aspx#Research

2017 WI Sea Grant Fact Sheet

https://publications.aqua.wisc.edu/product/2017-wi-sea-grant-fact-sheet/

How do decision-makers plan for slow-onset hazards like

drought? Risk Communication and Behavior http://www.performance.noaa.gov/wp-content/uploads/Risk-Communication-and-Behavior-Best-Practices-and-Research-Findings-July-2016.pdf

DROUGHT: Degrees of Drought Reveal the True Picture https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/news/drought-degrees-drought-reveal-true-picture

2014 California Drought Service Assessment https://www.weather.gov/media/publications/assessments/drought_ca14.pdf

Social Science @NOAA Sociology

How does offshore wind energy development impact coastal communities?

https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/project/assessing-social-values-offshore-wind-energy-areas-north-south-carolina/

Assessing Social Values Relative to Offshore Wind Energy Areas off North & South Carolina Research Area(s): Marine Spatial Ecology; Social Science / Assessing Human Use

Region(s) of Study: Waterbodies / Atlantic Ocean; U.S. States and Territories / North Carolina, South Carolina

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s (BOEM’s) Office of Renewable Energy Programs oversees development of offshore renewable energy projects on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). BOEM has identified wind energy areas (WEAs) on the OCS of North Carolina and is in the process of locating WEAs in South Carolina. NCCOS is assessing the values and activities of coastal residents, to characterize and monitor the complex interactions between society, the environment, and energy development projects.

Anthropology

Are fishing communities different from other communities?

Development of Social Indicators of Fishing Community Vulnerability and Resilience in the U.S. Southeast and Northeast Regions http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/CMS_DEV/Councils/Training2013/S3_Fishing_Com_Vulnerability_Resilience.pdf

Viable measures of social well-being and sustainability, including measures of vulnerability and resilience, are needed for coastal fishing communities. We developed a suite of social indicators for use in fisheries social impact assessment (SIA). Data from more than 2,900 coastal communities in 19 states from Maine to Texas were used to create 14 social vulnerability and fishing dependence indices. Each index was developed using a factor analysis of secondary data obtained primarily from government sources, supplemented by a few private sources. More information: https://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/humandimensions/social-indicators/ind-use#

Psychology Why aren’t people more concerned about climate change?

The Psychology of Climate Change Communication A Guide for Scientists, Journalists, Educators, Political Aides, and the Interested Public

https://coast.noaa.gov/data/digitalcoast/pdf/psychology-climate-change-communication.pdf

Geography https://wsg.washington.edu/research/planning-for-coastal-community-resilience-to-tsunamis/

Planning for Coastal Community Resilience to Tsunamis Using Transportation and Disaster Recovery Modeling

Washington’s outer coast faces serious seismic and tsunami hazards. Understanding and building community resilience to such crises entails examining recovery trajectories, in particular transportation disruption, restoration and reconstruction, across multiple space and time scales. This project models such trajectories for Pacific County, synthesizing current estimates of prospective losses, community input, and computer simulations. These findings will inform recovery plans and policies and strengthen local and regional partnerships.

Economics What is economic cost of marine debris?

https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/research/economic-study-shows-marine-debris-costs-california-residents-millions-dollars#prettyPhoto

Assessing the Economic Benefits of Reductions in Marine Debris: A Pilot Study of Beach Recreation in Orange County, California The study found that Orange County, California residents lose millions of dollars each year avoiding littered, local beaches in favor of choosing cleaner beaches that are farther away and may cost more to reach. Reducing marine debris even by 25 percent at beaches in and near Orange County could benefit residents roughly $32 million during three months in the summer.

Research Process: Storm Surge

Social Scientific Perspectives of Storm Surge https://coast.noaa.gov/digitalcoast/training/storm-surge.html

This project provides social science data relevant to the effective packaging and dissemination of storm surge forecasts both within and outside of emergency and coastal management agencies. Sociological perspective provides insight into the processes by which various users receive, interpret, and utilize storm surge data.

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/outreach/history/#katrina

Katrina was one of the most devastating hurricanes in the history of the United States. It is the deadliest hurricane to strike the United States since the Palm Beach-Lake Okeechobee hurricane of September 1928. It produced catastrophic damage - estimated at $75 billion in the New Orleans area and along the Mississippi coast - and is the costliest U. S. hurricane on record.

More general information on Storm Surge http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/surge/

Experimental Potential Storm Surge Flooding Map (Short Version) VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=6&v=Mm4m1kNPS-M

Social Science Research Comprehension

Economic Valuation of Shoreline Protection by Natural Infrastructure to a Coastal Community

https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/project/economic-valuation-shoreline-protection-natural-infrastructure-coastal-community/

https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/projects/detail?key=262

Research Area(s): Marine Spatial Ecology / Ecological and Biogeographic Assessments; Social Science / Ecosystem Services Valuation; Coastal Change / Natural and Nature-based Features

Region(s) of Study: U.S. States and Territories / New Jersey

Natural infrastructure, such as seagrass beds, oyster reefs, sand dunes and the like, can aid in protecting coastal assets. Without these, storm surge, erosion, and sea level rise can have economic impacts on coastal communities. For this project we are determining the economic value associated with natural infrastructure in and around the Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR). We are analyzing the estimated damages avoided attributable to the natural infrastructure.

A Valid & Reliable Study

http://gacoast.uga.edu/georgia-sea-grant-connects-coastal-fishermen-inland-markets/

Georgia’s coast is home to some of the most succulent shrimp and tender blue crab available, but the state’s inland consumers have often purchased their seafood elsewhere. Georgia Sea Grant is looking to change that trend.

Through its research and outreach programs, Georgia Sea Grant is connecting local fishermen to farmers markets and restaurants

statewide to provide inland consumers with fresh local seafood. While the local food movement has increased demand for locally grown ingredients, commercial seafood harvesters have faced challenges infiltrating those markets.

More info: http://news.uga.edu/releases/article/marine-extension-georgia-seafood-directory/

Human Subject Research Slides Interviews An interview is a conversation carried out for a research or less formal inquiry.

Prioritizing Sites for Coral Reef Conservation in the U.S. Virgin Islands

https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/project/prioritizing-sites-coral-reef-conservation-us-virgin-islands/ Research Area(s): Marine Spatial Ecology / Coral, Habitat Mapping Region(s) of Study: Waterbodies / Caribbean Sea; U.S. States and Territories / U.S. Virgin Islands We used existing and newly collected data, including local expert knowledge, to develop a map-based decision support tool to identify and prioritize the most important coral reefs for conservation consideration in the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as to determine the distribution of threats and stressors to coral reefs.

Scenarios and Tradeoffs: Providing Useful Models to Coastal Managers

https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/project/scenarios-tradeoffs-providing-useful-models-coastal-managers/ Research Area(s): Marine Spatial Ecology; Coastal Change / Vulnerability and Risk Assessment Region(s) of Study: Waterbodies / Atlantic Ocean, Chesapeake Bay, Gulf of Mexico, Pacific Ocean

This project gathers and organizes information concerning the ecosystem modeling needs of these agencies with the goal of improving the usefulness of the models and making the models more accessible to coastal managers.

NWS Service Assessments

https://www.weather.gov/publications/assessments NWS conducts Service Assessments to evaluate its performance after significant hydrometeorological, oceanographic, or geological events. Assessments may be initiated when one or more of the following criteria are met:

• Major economic impact on a large area or population • Multiple fatalities or numerous serious injuries • Extensive national public interest or media coverage • Unusual level of attention to NWS performance

Focus Groups Focus Groups are basically group interviews.

Flash Flood Services for the Future: Flash Flood Summit and Focus Group Findings

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/os/water/resources/NOAA_Flash_Flood_Summit_Report5_29_15.pdf

The NWS convened five focus groups across the country to gain a better understanding of local flash flood needs and to help ground truth and supplement the communications vision developed during the Sept. 2014 Flash Flood Summit.

Introduction to Conducting Focus Groups

https://coast.noaa.gov/data/digitalcoast/pdf/focus-groups.pdf

This publication, “Introduction to Conducting Focus Groups,” is the fifth in a series of guides developed to bring information to this audience about the use of social science tools in their field of work.

Surveys Surveys are a method of collecting data using an ordered list of questions to gather important information from a representative sample of individuals in a systematic fashion.

Social Values, Beliefs, Perceptions and Knowledge Relative to Offshore Wind Energy

https://coast.noaa.gov/socialcoast/ppt/Firestone.pdf

NOAA-funded researchers are using surveys to understand citizen’s knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding offshore wind farm development to inform development planning and site location.

Introduction to Survey Design and Delivery

https://coast.noaa.gov/data/digitalcoast/pdf/survey-design.pdf

This publication, “Introduction to Survey Design and Delivery,” is the first in a series of guides developed to bring information to this audience about the use of social science tools in their field of work.

Other Types of Research Planning for Coastal Community Resilience to Tsunamis Using Transportation and Disaster Recovery Modelling This project models community recovery trajectories for Pacific County, synthesizing current estimates of prospective loses, community input, and computer simulations in order to understand coastal community resilience.

https://wsg.washington.edu/research/planning-for-coastal-community-resilience-to-tsunamis/

Working Together

http://gacoast.uga.edu/georgia-sea-grant-connects-coastal-fishermen-inland-markets/

Georgia’s coast is home to some of the most succulent shrimp and tender blue crab available, but the state’s inland consumers have often purchased their seafood elsewhere. Georgia Sea Grant is looking to change that trend.

Through its research and outreach programs, Georgia Sea Grant is connecting local fishermen to farmers markets and restaurants

statewide to provide inland consumers with fresh local seafood. While the local food movement has increased demand for locally grown ingredients, commercial seafood harvesters have faced challenges infiltrating those markets.

More info: http://news.uga.edu/releases/article/marine-extension-georgia-seafood-directory/

Another Example Planning for Sustainable Shellfish Aquaculture: Identifying Current Activities, Public Perceptions, Conflicts, and Compatibilities This research combines geospatial data and an examination of the social dimensions of shellfish aquaculture to ensure that it is fully integrated into coastal and marine spatial planning along the U.S. West Coast.

https://wsg.washington.edu/research/planning-for-sustainable-shellfish-aquaculture-identifying-current-activities-public-perceptions-conflicts-and-compatibilities/

Research Example

Assessment of Social Media Usage during Severe Weather Events and the Development of a Twitter-based Model for Improved Communication of Storm-related Information https://blog.idl.ssrc.msstate.edu/2014/10/08/network-analysis-of-twitter-during-hurricane-sandy/

One of the main goals of the project is to identify key impact factors affecting the dissemination of storm-related information. To that end, SMTAS was utilized to collect approximately 12 million tweets during Hurricane Sandy. In order to understand the networks of key-users and the topics that were discussed during the event, researchers utilized the metadata attributes of the raw Twitter data such as user mentions, re-tweet data, and tweet content to analyze/visualize the inter-connectivity of tweets and their users in a graph based model.

Application Example

http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/stories/2016/06/social-science.html

NOAA NMFS has developed a set of social indicators for all communities in coastal counties in the United States (over 3,800 communities). The social indicators are numerical measures that describe and evaluate community well-being in terms of social economic and psychological welfare. These indicators enhance the analytical capabilities within NOAA Fisheries for conducting fisheries

social impact assessments and informing ecosystem-based fishery management at the local and regional scales needed to account for the diversity and nuances that exist within the coastal economies of the nation’s fishing communities. These social indicators are used to evaluate different management scenarios (i.e., social impact assessments), including alternatives being considered in marine spatial planning.

Best Practices for Working with Social Scientists Eat Fish Wisconsin Rather than relying on its own perceptions of consumers’ barriers to eating local fish, Wisconsin Sea Grant relied on the expertise of a social scientist, an economist to define the problem and develop a research design that resulted in a verifiable understanding of consumer behavior for eating local fish. Engaging a social scientist early on, helped WISG confidently focus its resources in a direction that created informed outreach materials and improved program results. http://eatwisconsinfish.org/about/

Flood Inundation Mapping (FIM) Program In another project, development of the storm inundation mapper required that modelers and risk communicators (one type of social scientist) work together to create the product that resulted. They had a clear goal from the beginning however initially these groups had very different vocabularies. They acknowledged this challenge and work together to create a common vocabulary. https://water.usgs.gov/osw/flood_inundation/ also see http://www.state.nj.us/drbc/library/documents/Flood_Website/FAC/RHCarr-NNC-120314.pdf

NWS Service Assessments NWS performs Service Assessments following significant weather events. The Service Assessment Teams include meteorologists and social scientists. These experts are critical to credibly and accurately understanding the bio-physical and social impacts associated with these events and the development best practices and recommendations to improve service in the future. https://www.weather.gov/publications/assessments

How People Benefit from New Hampshire’s Great Bay Estuary When an ecosystem services valuation study was conducted in Great Bay NH to examine How People Benefit from New Hampshire’s Great Bay Estuary, a comprehensive kick-off meeting was held that included resource managers, state program and agency staff, as well as researchers from the bio-physical and social sciences. The study’s principal investigators walked the group through the study’s timeline and milestones to address needs, concerns, and most importantly correct any misconceptions regarding the study’s social and ecological aspects. https://coast.noaa.gov/digitalcoast/training/great-bay.html