@article{article_1636786, title={Validity and Reliability Study of Social Media Sensitivity Scale in Disaster}, journal={Journal of Education and Future}, pages={199–211}, year={2025}, DOI={10.30786/jef.1636786}, author={Beydoğan, Gizem Şebnem}, keywords={Social media sensivity in disaster, scale development, validity, reliability}, abstract={In disasters that result in loss of life and property, social media plays a significant role in facilitating communication and mitigating the destructive impacts of such events. While fulfilling this role, it is essential that social media users demonstrate verbal and visual sensitivity in their engagement with cooperation, solidarity, and public discourse during disasters. To assess social media sensitivity during the earthquake process, which had a profound impact on a large segment of society, a 27-item draft scale was developed based on interviews with social media users and a review of the relevant literature. Expert opinions were sought from two specialists in the fields of disaster management and social media usage regarding the scale items. Following a pilot study, the items were administered to 279 individuals who actively used social media during the disaster. Exploratory factor analysis resulted in a refined scale comprising 15 items. These items were categorized under four factors: “Contribution to the Process”, “Contribution to Management”, “Awareness of Destructive Effects”, and “Facilitation” of the “Process”. A second round of implementation of the scale was conducted with a sample of 157 social media users to further validate the instrument. As a result of the confirmatory factor analysis, it was observed that the scale demonstrated optimal fit indices (CMIN/DF=1,146; RMSA=,031; SRMR=,059; NFI=,89,88; IFI=,984; CFI=,984; GFI=,925; AGFI=,895). The Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient of the scale was found to be α =.82. The AVE and CR values related to the reliability of the scale factors indicated a high level of convergent validity. Based on the findings, a valid and reliable measurement tool has been developed for assessing Social Media Sensitivity in Disasters (SMSSD).}, number={28}, publisher={Aydın Yayıncılık}