Professionals in this area use social science research methodologies (surveys, interviews, workshops, etc.) to explore the needs of the public related to requirements for and access to data, information, products, and education/educational tools that will aid the public in natural resource/environmental/ecological management, decision-making, planning and public policy, and in teaching students and/or relaying information to clients. Examples of such research: developing an on-line drought and water portal for stakeholders in a local river basin; working with communities to mitigate the impacts of drought by assisting them in becoming "drought ready;" collecting low water flow data from stakeholders in major river basins in the U.S. to be delivered to the National Weather Service for use in a national on-line database designed to mitigate impacts of low water flows; producing children’s educational materials that have local to international distribution potential; and developing on-line educational modules for teachers and Extension Educators on climate, climate variability and climate change.