Chapter 5: NEEDS ASSESSMENT “Acting without thinking is like shooting without aiming.” B. C. Forbes

Contents What Is a Needs Assessment? Needs Assessment Tools Organizing and Displaying Data Analyzing Data

Introduction After reading this chapter, you should have knowledge about the following: 1. The importance of doing a needs assessment 2. Applying appropriate research skills when conducting a survey 3. Synthesizing information from a survey and incorporating conclusions 4. Community partnerships available to participate in the plan

What Is a Needs Assessment?

Needs Assessment A tool that reveals the opinions and wishes of potential participants through the provision of personal feedback Involves gathering personal information Allows you to: Become aware of the population’s feelings, beliefs, and attitudes Identify the issues that are important to them Determine what has been done in the past

Needs Assessment Tools

Surveys and Questionnaires Use a questionnaire as the data gathering technique A series of questions Questions should be: Short To the point In simple English Easy to understand and respond to Placed in a sensible sequence Easy scoring system or rating scale Expect about a 10 percent return rate

Cover Letter Must be attached to the survey Short Outlines the purpose of your survey Tells respondents why their input is important and what will happen

Constructing the Questionnaire 1. Multiple Choice Questions 2. Rating Scales Questions Example _________________________________________________________________ Which municipal community centre do you use the most? (A) Centreville (B) Churchview (C) Parklane Example _________________________________________________________________ Which municipal community centre do you use the most? (A) Centreville (B) Churchview (C) Parklane Example _____________________________________________________________________________________ Please rate your satisfaction with the new drop-in basketball program: Not satisfied Somewhat satisfied Very satisfied Example _____________________________________________________________________________________ Please rate your satisfaction with the new drop-in basketball program: Not satisfied Somewhat satisfied Very satisfied

Constructing the Questionnaire 1. Listed Options Questions 2. Closed-Ended Questions 3. Open-Ended Questions 4. Leading Questions - AVOID Example _____________________________________________________________________________________ In which of the following activities do you currently participate? Basketball Volleyball Ball hockey Ice hockey Baseball Lacrosse Example _____________________________________________________________________________________ In which of the following activities do you currently participate? Basketball Volleyball Ball hockey Ice hockey Baseball Lacrosse Example ____________________________________________________________________________ explain why you are interested in participating in the annual ball. _______________________________________________________ Example ____________________________________________________________________________ explain why you are interested in participating in the annual ball. _______________________________________________________

Telephone Interviews Interviewer asks the questions and documents answers Adds more personal touch Participants selected by random sampling 5 steps to follow: 1. Call each selected respondent 2. Explain the purpose and state duration 3. Read clearly & document response 4. Repeat if necessary (no own opinions) 5. Stay focused until completion

Sampling the Population Populations can be large and unfeasible to measure Sampling is essential Sample can be generalized to the population The larger the sample, the higher the accuracy Random sampling: Equal opportunity Unbiased More likely to represent the population