PH-CT-M6

Outbreak Investigation

As an epidemiologist investigating an outbreak of Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), you are tasked with developing an eight-to-ten item interview to investigate the situation. You will also write a brief report that explains the interview and who you would choose to interview to gather your information.

The interview should meet the requirements found in the “Interview Protocol Checklist” and include the following:

· A heading

· Instructions to the interviewer (opening statements)

· The key research questions to be asked (recommend eight-to-ten questions)

· Probes to follow key questions

· Transition messages for the interviewer

· Space for recording the interviewer’s comments

· Space for the researcher to record reflective notes

Your brief report should address the following:

· An explanation of your interview questions;

· Why you selected the questions used in your interview—in other words, why the questions are important to your investigation, and what information you hope to uncover;

· The target audience of the questionnaire (i.e., the respondents), and why you chose them;

· The location of the target audience; what organizations do they represent?

· Be sure to include general and specific information you would need to know from those you are interviewing.

Your questionnaire and paper should meet the following structural requirements:

· The questionnaire should consist of eight-to-ten questions.

· The paper should be at least two pages in length, not including the cover sheet, reference page, and interview pages.

· Formatted according to APA writing standards.

· Provide support for your report with in-text citations from a minimum of four scholarly articles. Two of these sources may be from the class readings, textbook, or lectures, but two must be external.

·

Please use the following sources to help you develop the interview protocol.

Use:

Writing Interview Protocols and Conducting Interviews

An Interview Protocol Checklist

A sample protocol can be found here: Sample Interview Protocol Form.