Prince+Memo+5

Memo 5: Hierarchy of Research Questions Taylor Prince 8 September 2013

1) What role does sustainability play in the lifestyles of East Tennessee Residents? a) Are there any negative consequences to these roles? b) Have these sustainability initiatives (or lack thereof) addressed TN air quality? 2) How has industrial progress and lax regulation affected quality of life in East Tennessee? a) What positive and negative impacts did the increase in fossil-based energy production have on local citizens? This answer could potentially contain both historical and present-day accounts. i) Effect of employment and rural electrification from TVA, CCC, WPA, etc? ii) Possibility of increased healthcare costs (and associated increase in need of job) imposed by polluting technologies? b) How have various holes in air pollution legislation affected the lifestyles of adults and children? i) Smoking legislation in counties? ii) Particulate matter levels and legislation in counties? 3) Interview Questions a) To families of asthmatics: i) How long has your family lived in East Tennessee? (1) Where did you all live before that? (2) What are the differences, namely air quality? b) To energy industry and utilities representatives: i) Describe the state of air quality in East Tennessee relative to previous decades, as well as other regions. ii) What steps are you (TVA, Alstom, Mitsubishi, etc.) taking to curb air pollution in c) To local politicians: i) What are your top priorities in serving your constituents? ii) What do you think about the state of our air quality? iii) Does Tennessee’s political climate/structure allow for strict air quality standards? d) To healthcare professionals related to asthma and lungs: i) How long have you worked with asthma patients? ii) Tell me about the relative health of your asthma patients (of course w/o breaking HIPAA)