Abstract

MARTINEZ, Henny Luz Heredia  and  ARTMANN, Elizabeth. Content Analysis Using Webqda in the Study of Risk Communication During COVID-19: The Case of New Zealand. NTQR [online]. 2021, vol.8, pp.383-391.  Epub Dec 23, 2021. ISSN 2184-7770.  https://doi.org/10.36367/ntqr.9.2021.383-391.

Introduction: Global Health is facing one of the greatest challenges in history to control the spread of COVID-19, whose main characteristic is the speed of contagion. At the same time, the pandemic and the response have been accompanied by an enormous infodemia: the excess of information (accurate or not). Risk communication (CR) is a critical component of any emergency response. Objective: to analyze the components of the CR that supported the experience developed in New Zealand for the response to COVID-19. Methodology: Qualitative research, which seeks to understand which and how the components of risk communication were used in their historical-social context, and through their records, we sought to reveal its effect on COVID-19 control in New Zealand. The corpus of analysis was constituted by 7 open-access videos and 19 publications from the official website of the New Zealand government with statements made by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, during the period March/December 2020. The entire documentary corpus was subjected to content analysis using webQDA. Results: All components of risk communication suggested by WHO were considered in the New Zealand experience, with a strong focus on community/diverse actors’ involvement and promotion of solidarity as a core value of New Zealand society, through the use of clear and consistent messaging. The communication strategy gave relevance to decisions based on the best scientific evidence, with a marked promotion of non-pharmacological interventions. Conclusions: Qualitative research and CAQDAS such as webQDA are fundamental tools for the study of relevant topics such as risk communication, with emphasis on political speech and its implications in the development of strategies to control COVID-19 and the infodemic.

Keywords : Covid-19; Risk Communication; Infodemia; Content Analysis; New Zealand; webQDA..

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