/**
  *		This function is a singleton method used to instantiate the EEM_Answer object
  *
  *		@access public
  *		@return \EEM_Answer
  */
 public static function instance()
 {
     // check if instance of EEM_Answer already exists
     if (!self::$_instance instanceof EEM_Answer) {
         // instantiate Espresso_model
         self::$_instance = new self();
     }
     return self::$_instance;
 }