Needs+Assessment

=__**Needs Assessments**__=



A needs assessment is a tool that reveals the opinions, needs and wishes of potential participants through the analysis of personal feedback. Conducting a needs assessment involves gathering personal information and gaining knowledge about a specific group in a certain subject (i.e. preference of leisure activities in a nursing home). Through assessment you become aware of the population’s feelings, beliefs and attitudes as well as identify the issues that are important to them. You can also determine what has been done in the past and whether or not these approaches were successful.

There are several types of needs assessment tools. You can use one or more to gather your information. Remember not everyone will be able to respond to all assessment tools. You must be aware of the abilities and restrictions of your respondents. Those who can’t read for example may need a verbal interview or a checklist that uses pictures. Respondents with special needs or those who don’t speak English as their first language may require various forms of assistance or alternative needs assessment methods.

__**Needs Assessment Tools**__

 * Covering letter**: a letter that is included with the survey to tell the respondents that their input is important, purpose of survey, who it’s being conducted by, due date for completed survey and contact person for more information if needed.


 * Surveys and Questionnaires:** These are a series of questions or statements to discover the needs and satisfaction of a targeted group. The questions should be short, easy to understand and respond to. An easy scoring system or rating scale should be in place. Each question should consist of one topic only i.e. time, location, number of participants


 * Rating Scale:** Using an odd-numbered rating scale (1 to 5) gives the respondent a middle number to select. The rating scale chosen should be used consistently throughout the survey. An example: 1 not satisfied, 2, 3 somewhat satisfied, 4, 5 very satisfied.


 * Focus Groups:** Participants should represent a broad population base that provides varied opinions through discussion. These discussions often lead to new and innovative ideas that can improve products and services.


 * Interest checklists:** allow respondents to check off activities they have participated in or wish to. List only the activities you have seriously considered offering. Offer “other” to allow respondents to add activities they are interested in but are not listed.


 * Public meetings:** create a great atmosphere for debate about community issues, provide community information and gather ideas for future possibilities.


 * Sampling the population:** It is often impractical and expensive to measure all variables, so sampling is done. Data collected on a sample can be generalized to estimate or predict the needs of a given population. The larger the sample the more accurately it will represent the population. In random sampling, each member of a larger population has an equal opportunity of being selected into a sample. a biased sample contains some type of systematic error and is not as good a representation of the population needs.

__**Pros and Cons of Various Types of Needs Assessments**__
Positive: anonymous can be distributed to a large group not overly time consuming to complete small staff requirements easy to administer can fill it out on own time Negative: low return rate – about 10 percent lengthy process to read through completed surveys is the addressee the actual respondent? no clarification if respondent has questions illegible writing
 * 1. Written Surveys and Questionnaires:**

Positive: not expensive easy to organize and implement can cover a wide geographical area instant feedback other beneficial information may come out of conversation Negative: hang-ups / answering machine / caller ID must train interviewers no flexibility in time of completion
 * 2. Phone Survey:**

Positive: trading of ideas can elaborate on answers Negative: very time consuming respondents may not be good at thinking on the spot
 * 3. Interview**

Positive: can pinpoint interests fast to complete and tally minimal staff required Negative: people think it’s time consuming because of the columns return rate is lower does not allow for elaboration of answers
 * 4. Interest Checklist**

Positive: creates wider selection of ideas Negative: too many different ideas controlled by the facilitator limits the number participating
 * 5. Committee Brainstorming/Focus Groups:**

Positive: large numbers everyone can be heard those who are interested will attend creates wider selection of ideas Negative: people may be intimidated in large groups hard to book place for meeting hard to find time that works for all to meet recording all comments is difficult sometimes crowd can be one-sided
 * 6. Public Meetings:**