The Needs Assessment

Used with permission of: John R. Slate, Ph.D.

Terms to be Know

Assessment - an on-going process; formative

Evaluation - occurs at the conclusion of the unit/program; summative

Needs - the discrepancy between what is and what ought to be.

A Needs Assessment is ...

the systematic appraisal of the type, depth, and scope of a problem.

sometimes called an organizational review.

an end product. sometimes the first step in a formative

evaluation.

Purpose of Conducting a Needs Assessment

To discover weaknesses or problem areas in the current situation which can be remediated.

To project future conditions to which a program will need to adjust.

To provide a basis for setting objectives for curriculum or program development.

Needs Assessments and Research Methodologies

Quantitative - used to measure the precise extent between the existing condition and the desired condition.

Techniques: creation of databases on program attendance, census data, closed-ended survey questions, surveys, test scores

Qualitative - used to enhance the utility and accuracy of the condition by capturing a more complete portrayal of events and participants.

Techniques: on-site observations, interviews, archival and historical document review, videotaping

Questions to be Considered

Questions on the minds of the sponsor(s) . . .

What needs attention? What should our program(s) try to

accomplish? Where are we failing?

Questions the evaluator might pose . . .

What are the goals of the organization or community?

Is there agreement on the goals from all groups?

To what extent are these goals being met?

What do the clients perceive they need? What problems are they experiencing?

What do staff perceive they need? What problems are they experiencing?

What are the areas in which the organization is most seriously failing to achieve goals?

Where does the organization need to plan special programs or revise old programs?

Problems Encountered in Conducting a Needs Assessment

Definition of need - Exactly what is a desired set of conditions? – Five types of desired states: ideals,

norms, minimums, desires, and expectations

Urgency Values underlying needs are not clearly

articulated

Reported as group trends– What about individual differences?

What happens after the needs assessment?

Allocation of money or personnel to meet high priority needs

Program planning or revision

Where do you start in conducting a needs assessment?

Personnel experience Professional Media New policies or standards

Beware when . . .

determining clientele. identifying participants. selecting needs assessment

techniques.

Remember . . .

the very best (i.e., most thorough) needs assessment will utilize mixed methodology (quantitative and qualitative methodologies).