Final answer:
Observations and interviews are the research methods that yield direct data in a community nursing needs assessment, providing firsthand insights into community health concerns.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a community health nurse is conducting a needs assessment of a community, the method that will yield direct data is option c) Observations and interviews. This method involves directly interacting with community members, thus providing firsthand information regarding their health needs and concerns. Surveys and questionnaires (option a), while also directly involving the community, are more standardized and may not provide the depth of data that observations and interviews can. Focus group discussions (option b) offer rich qualitative data but might not be as direct as individual observations and interviews. Secondary data analysis (option d) uses previously collected data and therefore, does not yield direct data.
Research methods such as in-depth interviews, focus groups, and content analysis enable researchers to gather qualitative data that offers insights into participants' experiences, beliefs, and behaviors. These methods are key for understanding the complex social factors that influence community health. On the other hand, methods like surveys often result in both quantitative and qualitative data, providing a more comprehensive view of a community's health profile.