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

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.