Some time ago theswine flu bug swept across the U.S. Suppose now that a new flu bug(the “feline” flu) is threatening the health of U.S. residents.Assume that you work for the Harvard School of Public Health, andthat you need to quickly determine how the American public isresponding to the current feline flu issue. The objective is tofind out how people’s behavior might have recently changed becauseof their concerns about contracting the flu. For example, it iswell established that such simple behaviors as covering one’scoughing (with a forearm), keeping a “social distance” of 3 to 6feet from others, and washing one’s hands frequently (either withsoap and hot water or with hand sanitizers) can dramatically reducethe transmittance of the disease. Your subordinates have come upwith two possible research plans to address your goal:
(A) Thefirst is a short pencil-and-paper questionnaire to be administeredin a parking lot intercept survey (e.g., outside of supermarketsand ATM machines).
(B) The second is a series of quick focus groups conducted using officeworkers, college students and younger pupils at locations nearbyworkplaces and schools.
Your co-workers havebeen unable to decide which of the two approaches to use (only onecan be undertaken). They have turned to you make a decision. Whichof the two approaches do you recommend? Assume the cost of usingeither approach is not relevant to your decision. Begin your answerwith either A or B and briefly defend your choice. roughly 200words.
