From Frequency to Diversity: Validating the Multidimensional Measures of Information Acquisition

Xiaohui Wang; Han Zheng; Yi-Hui Christine Huang

doi:10.1177/10755470251369841

From Frequency to Diversity: Validating the Multidimensional Measures of Information Acquisition

Xiaohui Wang, Han Zheng, Yi-Hui Christine Huang^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Department of Media and Communication

Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review

Abstract

Public health emergencies underscore the importance of crisis information acquisition. This study validated its multidimensional measures (i.e., frequency, breadth, diversity, and repertoire) using a five-wave longitudinal survey (N = 698) and a two-wave cross-topic survey (N = 969). Results confirmed the reliability and validity of frequency, breadth, diversity, and repertoire across contexts and time. These measures correlated differently with vaccination attitudes, uncertainty, information sharing, and avoidance, capturing distinct yet interrelated dimensions of information acquisition. The findings highlight the need for incorporating diverse sources to measure information behaviors, providing a comprehensive framework for understanding the multifaceted nature of information acquisition. © The Author(s) 2025.

Original language	English
Number of pages	44
Journal	Science Communication
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/10755470251369841
Publication status	Online published - 28 Sept 2025

Bibliographical note

Full text of this publication does not contain sufficient affiliation information. With consent from the author(s) concerned, the Research Unit(s) information for this record is based on the existing academic department affiliation of the author(s).

Funding

The authors disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This research was supported by City University of Hong Kong (Grant No.: 9361013, 9380119, 7200712, 7005703, 9610573, 7006022) and Hong Kong Research Grants Council (Grant No.: 9063007, 9043780).

Research Keywords

information acquisition
multidimensional measure
validation
diversity
longitudinal survey

RGC Funding Information

RGC-funded

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10.1177/10755470251369841

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Cite this

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title = "From Frequency to Diversity: Validating the Multidimensional Measures of Information Acquisition",

abstract = "Public health emergencies underscore the importance of crisis information acquisition. This study validated its multidimensional measures (i.e., frequency, breadth, diversity, and repertoire) using a five-wave longitudinal survey (N = 698) and a two-wave cross-topic survey (N = 969). Results confirmed the reliability and validity of frequency, breadth, diversity, and repertoire across contexts and time. These measures correlated differently with vaccination attitudes, uncertainty, information sharing, and avoidance, capturing distinct yet interrelated dimensions of information acquisition. The findings highlight the need for incorporating diverse sources to measure information behaviors, providing a comprehensive framework for understanding the multifaceted nature of information acquisition. {\textcopyright} The Author(s) 2025.",

keywords = "information acquisition, multidimensional measure, validation, diversity, longitudinal survey",

author = "Xiaohui Wang and Han Zheng and Huang, {Yi-Hui Christine}",

note = "Full text of this publication does not contain sufficient affiliation information. With consent from the author(s) concerned, the Research Unit(s) information for this record is based on the existing academic department affiliation of the author(s).",

year = "2025",

month = sep,

day = "28",

doi = "10.1177/10755470251369841",

language = "English",

journal = "Science Communication",

issn = "1075-5470",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - From Frequency to Diversity

T2 - Validating the Multidimensional Measures of Information Acquisition

AU - Wang, Xiaohui

AU - Zheng, Han

AU - Huang, Yi-Hui Christine

N1 - Full text of this publication does not contain sufficient affiliation information. With consent from the author(s) concerned, the Research Unit(s) information for this record is based on the existing academic department affiliation of the author(s).

PY - 2025/9/28

Y1 - 2025/9/28

N2 - Public health emergencies underscore the importance of crisis information acquisition. This study validated its multidimensional measures (i.e., frequency, breadth, diversity, and repertoire) using a five-wave longitudinal survey (N = 698) and a two-wave cross-topic survey (N = 969). Results confirmed the reliability and validity of frequency, breadth, diversity, and repertoire across contexts and time. These measures correlated differently with vaccination attitudes, uncertainty, information sharing, and avoidance, capturing distinct yet interrelated dimensions of information acquisition. The findings highlight the need for incorporating diverse sources to measure information behaviors, providing a comprehensive framework for understanding the multifaceted nature of information acquisition. © The Author(s) 2025.

AB - Public health emergencies underscore the importance of crisis information acquisition. This study validated its multidimensional measures (i.e., frequency, breadth, diversity, and repertoire) using a five-wave longitudinal survey (N = 698) and a two-wave cross-topic survey (N = 969). Results confirmed the reliability and validity of frequency, breadth, diversity, and repertoire across contexts and time. These measures correlated differently with vaccination attitudes, uncertainty, information sharing, and avoidance, capturing distinct yet interrelated dimensions of information acquisition. The findings highlight the need for incorporating diverse sources to measure information behaviors, providing a comprehensive framework for understanding the multifaceted nature of information acquisition. © The Author(s) 2025.

KW - information acquisition

KW - multidimensional measure

KW - validation

KW - diversity

KW - longitudinal survey

UR - https://www.webofscience.com/wos/woscc/full-record/WOS:001582129100001

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105017258448

UR - https://www.scopus.com/record/pubmetrics.uri?eid=2-s2.0-105017258448&origin=recordpage

U2 - 10.1177/10755470251369841

DO - 10.1177/10755470251369841

M3 - RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal

SN - 1075-5470

JO - Science Communication

JF - Science Communication

ER -

From Frequency to Diversity: Validating the Multidimensional Measures of Information Acquisition

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Funding

Research Keywords

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SRFS: Navigating Trust in Turbulent Times: Gauging Situational Trust Dynamics Model (STDM) Through A Five-Year Longitudinal Study Across Chinese and Western Societies in Crisis Contexts

GRF: From Persistent Distrust to Resilient Trustors: A Six-Year Longitudinal Study of the Contextual and Individual Determinants of Public Trust in Hong Kong

Cite this

From Frequency to Diversity: Validating the Multidimensional Measures of Information Acquisition

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Funding

Research Keywords

RGC Funding Information

Access Output

Other Access Options

Permanent Link

Other Files and Links

Fingerprint

Projects

SRFS: Navigating Trust in Turbulent Times: Gauging Situational Trust Dynamics Model (STDM) Through A Five-Year Longitudinal Study Across Chinese and Western Societies in Crisis Contexts

GRF: From Persistent Distrust to Resilient Trustors: A Six-Year Longitudinal Study of the Contextual and Individual Determinants of Public Trust in Hong Kong

Cite this