Student Perceptions of the Arkansas Water Resources Center, Water Resources, and Water Issues

Abstract

In this descriptive–correlational study, students (n = 440) enrolled at the University of Arkansas (UA) were surveyed to determine their perceptions of the Arkansas Water Resources Center (AWRC), water resources, and water issues. This study found participants were most aware (mean = 3.23, SD = 1.14), concerned (mean = 4.07, SD = 0.86), and interested (mean = 4.10, SD = 0.87) in drinking water quality. Students who participated were least aware of the AWRC (mean = 2.23, SD = 1.10) with 67.6% of students reporting either a low or very low level of awareness. The data showed positive correlations existed between students’ overall interest, awareness, and concern for water. Interest and awareness had a strong positive correlation, r = 0.61, p < 0.0001. Also, interest and concern had a strong positive correlation, r = 0.75, p < 0.0001. There was a moderate positive correlation between awareness and concern, r = 0.50, p < 0.0001. Additionally, there were direct positive correlations between students’ class experiences, their interest in learning more about the AWRC, and their overall interest, awareness, and concern for water. The results of this study demonstrate a need for more water centers and natural resource organizations to identify perceptions among audience groups to determine effective communication campaign needs and strategies, including educational content, message placement, and communication media. Future research should attempt to fill the identified gap noted in this research.