When assessing a community's health care needs, an advanced public health nurse interviews a first-grade teacher and the editor of the weekly news bulletin. This data collection method is which?

• A. Key informant
• B. Nominal group
• C. Participant observer
• D. Social survey

Answer: (A)

The main concept being tested is how to collect qualitative insights from knowledgeable community members during a health assessment, using the key informant approach. Interviewing a first-grade teacher and the editor of the weekly news bulletin taps into individuals who have broad, informed perspectives on community health needs through their roles and daily observations. The teacher interacts with families and students, noticing health and social issues that affect schooling, while the editor reflects what concerns and topics circulate in the community. These informants provide rich, contextual information that helps identify prevalent problems, service gaps, and priorities that might not emerge from standardized surveys alone.

This method differs from others by design. A nominal group involves structured group brainstorming to generate and prioritize ideas, not targeted interviews with community insiders. A participant observer gathers data by living and working within the setting, often over time, rather than conducting focused interviews. A social survey uses standardized questionnaires administered to a sample to quantify needs or opinions. Thus, consulting key informants is the most appropriate approach in this scenario.