Question

Which strategy would best direct your search for the public's perception of a mayor's intent to install video cameras at traffic lights?
A) Attend the next city council meeting and take notes

B) Interview ten drivers on their opinion of the plan

C) Search your local library for current newspaper articles about the plan

D) Read a press release from the mayor's office announcing the plan

Answer 1

B) Interview ten drivers on their opinion of the plan

Answer 2

Answer: B) Interview ten drivers on their opinion of the plan.

If your objective is to discover the public's perception of a policy, you need to contact the public in order to obtain that information. A council meeting, newspaper articles, or a press release might give you some information, but it is not going to be as direct, complete and unbiased as that of talking to the public directly. Therefore, interviewing drivers on their opinion is the best way to begin a research with this objective.