Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Hurricane Katrina laid bare the inabilities of state and local governments to handle immobile citizens—children, the elderly, ill and disabled persons in hospitals, and institutionalized individuals—in emergency situations. This research, based on a mail survey of a wide array of Florida county and city officials conducted in the Spring of 2007, examines how local government officials have incorporated immobile special needs populations and the agencies that serve them into their emergency management plans (natural disasters; terrorist acts). The study concludes that there is still a lack of attention to children and the disabled and an absence of established networks with private sector agencies serving these populations. The research demonstrates the usefulness of controlling for the type of jurisdiction, population size, and the type of position held by local government officials in gaining a better understanding of how these factors influence vulnerability assessments. We find significant differences in assessments among first responders and their more generalist counterparts. In general, those individuals serving in first responder capacities were more likely to identify the spectrum of population vulnerabilities as of “major” importance to emergency planning efforts. First responders are more familiar with the challenges associated with managing immobile populations and are therefore more likely to prioritize their importance when it comes to emergency preparedness. In addition, first responders in both counties and municipalities rate the quality of their interactions with public and private sector agencies serving immobile populations more highly than non-first responders. Because of their functional responsibilities, first responders tend to have better networks in place with those agencies providing services to the immobile.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: This study investigated how following standard usability guidelines impacted participants' cognitive and affective perceptions of a website. In particular, the study focused on how participants reacted to (deliberately introduced) problems with the usability of a website. A 2x2 (descriptive labels by informative feedback) between-subjects experiment (N = 80) was designed to test the hypotheses that conforming to usability guidelines would result in not only better memory for website content and better task performance but also more positive attitudes toward the website. The results confirm the hypotheses, and provide insight into the consequences of designing for usability, and can help to guide designers struggling to navigate the tension between performance (usability) and emotional response (affect). Theoretical implications of the findings for human-computer interaction as well as technological variables such as interactivity and navigability are discussed.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: The current study examines the effects of self-disclosure of an interface agent and users' attachment styles on user-agent close relationship formation. The experiment was conducted in a 2(agent's self-disclosure: Disclosure vs. Non-Disclosure) by 4(participants' attachment styles). After interactions with the agent, participants evaluated their perceived closeness - inclusion of other in the self, subjective closeness, expectations of influences in future interaction, and trust – toward the agent.
The results are summarized as follows: 1) self-disclosure of an agent had a positive impact on perceived closeness toward the agent; 2) participants' attachment styles were related to perceived closeness; those with a dismissing style consistently perceived the agent as least intimate, while preoccupied and fearful as relatively intimate; 3) with respect to trust toward the agent, a significant interaction effect was found; preoccupied and fearful persons rated the agent as more trustworthy when they received self-disclosure from the agent than when they did not, whereas ratings of secure and dismissing persons were not affected by agent's self-disclosure. These results show that self-disclosure of an agent and users' attachment styles affect relationship formation in the user-agent context, similar to findings in human relationship. Theoretical and practical (agent design) implications are discussed.

Publication Type: Poster Sessions
Abstract: There are several steps involved in developing an effective outreach video. Explore our lessons learned while making When Nature is at Your Doorstep, a tool for natural resource professionals to use with residents and communities living in the wildland-urban interface.

Publication Type: Abstract
Abstract: At the local and national level the structure of agriculture is influenced by population growth and development at the rural urban interface (RUI). The majority of RUI research has focused on environmental and economic impacts, with little attention to the social impacts on farming. Succession is an important social process that may be impacted by nonfarm development. This paper will analyze the interrelationship of production, land use and succession and assess the significance of succession in farm persistence at the RUI. An analysis of quantitative and qualitative data from nine case study counties will be used to examine the succession process on both traditional commodity and alternative food and agricultural enterprises at the RUI. A secondary theme is a focus on the role of gender in succession, enterprise adaptation and persistence with the expectation that farming at the RUI creates new opportunities for women in agriculture.