Online media attribution of pipeline infrastructure failure, sourcing and the public health model: a content analysis of news stories on water and wastewater pipeline failures
Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on May 26, 2011).The entire thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file; a non-technical public abstract appears in the public.pdf file.Thesis advisor: Dr. Shelly Rodgers.Includes bibliographical references.M.A. University of Missouri--Columbia 2011.The following study is a content analysis on how online media covers pipeline failure in North America. It uses the Public Health Model of Reporting, Sourcing and Attribution Theory to answer questions related to the cause and consequences of pipeline failure. The content analysis looked at 112 articles from 2010 highlighting events and issues related to pipeline and infrastructure failure such as sewer collapses, water main breaks and sinkholes. The articles were coded for frequency of the various failures, consequences and causes. The story type and sources of all articles were also coded to determine if there were any relationships between the variables. Additional information was gathered relating to other criteria specific to online articles, such as the availability of photos and video and social media feedback
