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Rates under Treatment

The second technique is 'rates under treatment'. The methods strive to get the information from individuals based on the various factors such as age, sex, and socioeconomic status. The sources of data in the case would be obtaining the records from the practitioners in the health centre or through the interview of the individual members of the community (Ervin, 2000). Also, the data can be obtained through observation of the rates at which the individuals utilize the health centers and determining which age group or gender is profoundly affected by the social problem most. From the methods or the assessment, the responsible parties would know how to approach the issue and to the individuals where they should make much of their efforts striving to reduce or eliminate the misconceptions or myths about the HIV/AIDs.

Survey and Questionnaires is another essential technique. The individual needs can also get assessed through the use of the questionnaires. The data can be derived from individuals sampled and provided by the questionnaires to fill some of the questions on the needs of the people upon the establishment of the possible needs. The aspect will enable the organizations or the concerned group to rank the needs of the individuals based on the data provided (Ervin, 2000). However, various forms of the survey can also get used in the assessment, and this includes telephone, direct questioning, and the method can be done at different levels from the highly structured to the open-ended format.

Key-Informant Interviews

Another important technique is the use of key-informant interviews. The myths and the misconceptions about the HIV/AIDs is an aspect that affects most of the individuals within the community. The people carrying out the assessment may not be familiar with this myths, and thus through the interviews, they may be in positions to establish essential information vital to the evaluation. The interviews can be carried out at two levels. The first interview can be done with the community leaders or individuals who from the nature of their work know the local conditions as pertains to the social issue. The next levels involve the use of the individuals representing many walks of life or the subject of the category getting assessed. These individuals would be vital in the provision of the data that can be used in the assessment of the needs of the individuals. Such people in the circumstance would be considered experts because of their direct and authentic experience of the myths and misconceptions about HIV/AIDs and thus are vital for the interviews.

Question 2

It is crucial that during the selection of the methods, people should use the research methods that respect the confidentiality of the individuals. The topics such as myths and misconceptions about HIV/AIDs require a high degree of sensitivity, and thus it is vital that the individuals employ sensitivity to prevent the stigmatization that can get impacted on the parties (Bernard & Bernard, 2012). I think that these need assessment techniques would be the most appropriate for the social problem because they will employ the highest degree of confidentiality. The use of the methods such as questionnaires does not allow individuals to mention the names of the individuals. Instead, such methods enable the informants to provide the general view of the circumstance and the needs they feel are appropriate to the individuals affected by the social issue.

Besides, time is an essential element in research. I have the feeling that these methods are appropriate for considering time. The processes such as interviews can get designed in a way that they do not only allocate the time for the acquisition of the information but also advocate for the research findings (Bowling, 2014). Also, through the direct interviews, the individuals have the chance to educate or even persuade the people about the results and its significance and strive to work on the solutions to the problem. Thus, the methods allow for scheduling that is an essential aspect of consideration in the case.

Moreover, these methods or the techniques and the sources illustrated for the assessment are more feasible and manageable to permit the collaboration or cross-checking of the information on the needs of the individuals and this further proves the validity of the information (Bowling, 2014). For instance, the data from the interviews can point out the specific group most affected by the issue, and this would call for the remedial actions through aspects such as counselling directed to such individuals.

References

Bowling, A. (2014). Research methods in health: investigating health and health services. McGraw-Hill Education (UK).

Bernard, H. R., & Bernard, H. R. (2012). Social research methods: Qualitative and quantitative approaches. Sage.

Ervin, A. (2000). Applied Anthropology. Tools and Perspective for contemporary practice