Principal Investigator: Alva R. Lines (Georgia Institute of Technology)
Principal Investigator: W. Andrew Thompson (Georgia Institute of Technology)
Principal Investigator: John E. Humphrey, Jr. (Georgia Institute of Technology)
Principal Investigator: Louis F. Jourdan, Jr. (Georgia Institute of Technology)
Principal Investigator: Michael W. Harris (Georgia Institute of Technology)
Principal Investigator: Glen D. Baskett (Georgia Institute of Technology)
Principal Investigator: C. Michael York (Georgia Institute of Technology)
Sponsor: GWRI
Start Date: 1969-07-01; Completion Date: 1971-06-30;
Keywords:
Description:
The focus of this research project has been instrument development and field tryouts relating to the broad question of citizen-conceived Environmental Quality and, more specifically, the public’s relative importance attributed to water-resource issues. A major urban area in the Southeast served as the initial data source both in the construction of the measures and in collection of preliminary problem-oriented information from the people. Sampling design and implementation was a fundamental task, and is immediately available for use in Atlanta, on a range of topics. One substudy empirically tested the telephone interview as a viable method for gathering qualitative data about the environment and other citizen-perceived urban problems. These resident-generated suggestions provided the content for construction of an Environmenta1 Quality measure. The resulting one-page rating scale, the established Citizen Panel in Atlanta, and the survey research capability at the Georgia Institute of Technology are now available to the technical specialists and the managers of urban Environmental Quality. Use of the scales in studies elsewhere will also enable comparative data analyses.
Another substudy, having theoretical and methodological significance, provided citizen data relating to perceived source credibility. The trustworthiness of officials and agencies by the public has been demonstrated to be a major variable in the communication process. A brief rating card was field tested in the Atlanta area, using Governor and Mayor as stimulus-figures.
Preliminary substantive information bearing on public perception of environmental priorities is given in this project completion report. Ratings from student and resident samples on 51 issues (obtained in the telephone interviews) were submitted to factor analysis in search of the underlying dimensionality of their environmental concern. The specific item clusters are tabled in the report, but in general, the salient issues were water and air pollution control, crime control, and drug control. These data from the Atlanta residents constitute a base line for continuing research relating to urban priorities in Atlanta and elsewhere. This kind of research contributes to the understanding of citizen concern for national and environmental issues, including empirical support for the preservation of natural resources.