When disasters strike: Navigating the challenges of "sudden science"
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-19-2020
Abstract
Natural disasters, like hurricanes, floods, and other environmental events, are associated with catastrophic destruction and sometimes loss of life. These events can be frightening and terribly disruptive for directly affected towns and communities, yet they also bring a unique opportunity for researchers to conduct studies that advance the disaster science literature. In this chapter, we focus on the challenges and opportunities associated with reactive disaster research, which we have termed "sudden science. " To be precise, sudden science refers to situations where a research protocol must be developed and implemented quickly to capture behavioral responses during the immediate impact phase of a disaster. Three examples are considered here: the 2005 Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, and the 2016 flooding, which damaged many south Louisiana towns and communities. We note the challenges faced while carrying out sudden science behavioral research in these disaster contexts. Ethical considerations are brought into sharp focus as we consider best practices for conducting research on psychosocial outcomes after a disaster. We close the chapter by noting risks and rewards in connection with sudden science disaster research.
Publication Source (Journal or Book title)
The Intersection of Trauma and Disaster Behavioral Health
First Page
127
Last Page
143
Recommended Citation
Cherry, K., Calamia, M., & Elliott, E. (2020). When disasters strike: Navigating the challenges of "sudden science". The Intersection of Trauma and Disaster Behavioral Health, 127-143. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-51525-6_8