Deck 3: Needs Assessment

Question 1

Before conducting the needs assessment, it may be helpful to consult census data available in geographical units to learn more about the population being studied.This is an example of use of __________________________________.

A)census tracts or blocks
B)secondary data
C)dissemination of results
D)taking shortcuts to save money on data collection

Answer 1

B

Question 2

When disseminating the results of the needs assessment, you should present preliminary results to the stakeholders before finalizing and presenting the information to the community.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

When collecting data by using a survey, asking people who live close to your agency and/or seek services from there will yield results that adequately represent the community.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

___________________ involve(s) a small group of individuals gathered to be asked questions by a facilitator related to a certain topic, with the goal being to gather relevant information about a problem or issue about which all the members are aware or have direct knowledge.

A)A survey key informant panel
B)The Delphi technique
C)Focus groups
D)Nominal groups

Question 5

According to Bradshaw (1977), a(n) _____________________ need is one that is expressed by actual clients and those directly affected by the issue.

A)normative
B)felt
C)comparative
D)expressed

Question 6

An expressed need is when a need of one group is determined to be the need of a group with similar characteristics, but you are unable to talk to the other group directly.

Question 7

Which of the following steps comes first when planning a needs assessment?

A)determine the information needed and what you already have
B)hire a consultant with experience in your program area
C)establish the research questions
D)petition your board of directors for funding for the study

Question 8

A researcher utilizes a survey as well as focus groups to determine the outcomes of a particular intervention.When analyzing the data, the researcher is careful to analyze how the different focus groups as well as the survey yield similar findings (or not).This is called what type of analysis?

A)convergent
B)discriminant
C)qualitative
D)quantitative

Question 9

Previously collected data for another purpose cannot be used by researchers for program evaluation studies.

Question 10

Public hearings and community forums are not considered methods of needs assessments.

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT one of the four A's to guide planning?

A)accessible
B)awareness
C)assessment
D)acceptable
E)ability of services study

Question 12

Needs assessments are a final step to take when developing a new program.

Question 13

The __________________ technique is utilized when a group of experts is asked to comment on a questionnaire designed for a study, provide input, and assist the researcher in refining the measure.

A)Dillman
B)focus group
C)nominal group
D)Delphi

Question 14

A consultant is hired by your agency to conduct a gaps analysis to determine groups of people not being served by the current services provided to the homeless.The consultant concludes that adolescents ages 17-18 who have formerly been in foster care comprise a large percentage of the homeless and you do not have any programs that target this group.This is an example of what type of need?

A)expressed
B)felt
C)normative
D)operationalized

Question 15

Common issues that can affect your needs assessment approach include:

A)the importance of the effort
B)budget and available resources
C)time to finish the project
D)all of the above
E)none of the above

Question 16

People who have knowledge of the problem you are assessing, through work or educational experience with a program or agency, or with a certain population with which you should consult before conducting your needs assessment are known as which of the following terms?

A)key informants
B)stakeholders
C)secondary data
D)informed consent

Question 17

Needs assessments serve primarily which purpose?

A)justification of staffing patterns within agencies
B)a one-time analysis of interventions needed
C)determining the best distribution of funds to staff
D)estimating what is not available in the service array

Question 18

What type of survey is utilized to determine the extent of problems in a certain area and then express the findings as rates affected within the population?

A)empirical
B)evidence-based
C)epidemiologic
D)environmental