Foxes caught in the same snare

A methodological review of social radon studies

Bibliographic Data

ID15087468
AuthorsMelisa Muric (0000-0002-1297-0376, University of Antwerp, corresponding author), Peter Thijssen (0000-0002-1202-8452, University of Antwerp), Catrinel Turcanu (0000-0003-0707-0581, Institute for Environment, Health and Safety, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium), Tanja Perko (0000-0001-8405-6631, University of Antwerp), Yevgeniya Tomkiv (0000-0002-7596-1928, Norwegian University of Life Sciences)
Year2023
Volume26
Issue3
Pages273-301
Publication date2023-03-04
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Risk Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1366-9877 • E-ISSN: 1466-4461
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/13669877.2022.2127850
OpenAlexW4304091811
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited89

Mitigating risk from exposures to indoor radon is a critical public health problem confronting many countries worldwide. In order to ensure effective radon risk management based on social scientific evidence, it is essential to reduce scientific uncertainty about the state of social methodology. This paper presents a review of methodological (best) practices, and sensitivity to bias, in research on public attitudes and behaviours with regards to radon risks. Using content analysis, we examined characteristics of research design, construct measurement, and data analysis. Having identified certain challenges based on established and new typologies used to assess methodological quality, our research suggests that there is a need for attention to (limitations of ) cross-sectional design, representative and appropriate sampling, and a pluralist approach to methods and analysis. Furthermore, we advocate for more comparative research, rigorous measurement and construct validation. Lastly, we argue that research should focus on behavioural outcomes to ensure effective radon risk management. We conclude that for any field to thrive it is crucial that there is methodological reflexivity among researchers. Our recommendations serve as a useful guide for researchers and practitioners seeking to understand and enhance the rigor of social methodology in their field

Environmental health · Management science · Political science · Public health · Public relations · Radon · Reflexivity · Social science · Sociology · Computer Science · Engineering · Medicine · Psychology · Radioactive contamination and transfer · Radioactivity and Radon Measurements · Risk Perception and Management

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Open DOIOpen Access