Question 1

There are a number of different methodologies that program planners can use when beginning a needs assessment. Which of the following questions would a planner NOT consider when deciding on the method for the needs assessment?

Accepted Answer

C

Question 2

Six methodologies that the planner might choose for a needs assessment would be: 1) extrapolating from existing studies, 2) using resource inventories, 3) using service statistics, 4) conducting a survey, 5) holding a public forum and 6)____________:

Accepted Answer

Focus groups are a common methodology used in needs assessments to gather qualitative data from a specific group of people, providing insights into their needs and preferences.

Question 3

There are many state and federal agencies that have collections of secondary data that planners might use in place of collecting their own new data. Which of the answers below is NOT one of the agencies that a planner might use?

Accepted Answer

The Office of Budget and Finance is not typically known for housing collections of secondary data that planners might use, unlike the National Center for Health Statistics, Bureau of Labor, and Bureau of the Census, which are known for their extensive data collections useful for various planning purposes.

Question 4

State and national data would NOT include which of the following in their secondary data:

Accepted Answer

State and national data as secondary data sources typically include quantitative measures such as rate/100,000 (B), number of cases (C), and prevalence (D). However, they often do not provide in-depth qualitative data such as the reasons or causes for the problem (A), which usually require primary data collection or more detailed qualitative research.

Question 5

Data can be defined many different ways, in different places, by different people/agencies, at different points in history. One of the ways to understand exactly what definition could be used in a needs assessment is to use expert opinion. The strengths of expert judgment include cost, time required to complete the assessment, translation from the database to the local level and which of the following:

Accepted Answer

A clear definition of the terms and how they have been put into operation.

Question 6

Consultants sometimes come in to a project with a personal bias. Consultants should only be consulted after a basic programmatic strategy is outlined by the planning staff. Consultants can then be used for all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Consultants are typically brought in to provide expertise, suggest improvements, estimate risks, and help design interventions based on the strategy outlined by the planning staff. Deciding on a methodology for the assessment is usually a core responsibility of the planning staff or project team, as it is fundamental to the project's approach and should align with the organization's goals and capabilities.

Question 7

A resource inventory is a method that collects information so strategies for the total system can be identified. Once information is collected on services, it should be able to be grouped by all but which of the following:

Accepted Answer

The answer of A resource inventory is a method that...

Question 8

One of the most important considerations in building a resource inventory is to do all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Starting with an already completed Resource Inventory and using that information first is not recommended because it may not accurately reflect current resources or meet the specific needs of the new inventory being created. It's important to ensure the inventory is up-to-date and tailored to the specific goals of the project.

Question 9

A survey of service providers is important because it provides:

Accepted Answer

The answer of A survey of service providers is important...

Question 10

Utilization data is collected from service reports and includes categories based on the level of effort of the organization. Which of the categories would NOT be included on a service utilization report?

Accepted Answer

Program outcomes are not a category of service utilization, as they refer to the results or impacts of the services provided, rather than the services themselves like counseling, legal services, or transportation.

Question 11

Following the gathering of type of service, a utilization report would also include all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Client-to-staff ratio is more related to staffing and operational efficiency rather than utilization of services, which focuses on how services are used by clients, including the volume of services provided, their cost, and the specific types of services delivered.

Question 12

The advantages of using service statistics include all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Service statistics often lack comprehensive data about the overall prevalence of an issue or the extent of unmet needs within a population, as they typically only capture information about those who have accessed services.

Question 13

The most powerful method of assessing need is the community survey measuring perceived need. It collects information on all the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Community surveys measuring perceived need are designed to gather information directly related to the experiences, needs, and opinions of the community members themselves, including demographics (people living in the community), original data specific to the area, and attitudes of consumers. They do not typically assess the capacity of agencies or organizations directly; such assessments are usually conducted through other means, such as organizational audits or evaluations.

Question 14

The survey process begins with the definition of the problem in conceptual and operational terms. Program planners can do the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Selecting questions from an existing survey is not a task that program planners can do in the survey process.

Question 15

Three of the major considerations when deciding to use a survey are listed below, EXCEPT which of the following:

Accepted Answer

Finding the expert to write the survey is not typically listed as a major consideration when deciding to use a survey. The primary considerations usually involve assessing the time, effort, and expense involved; planning the analysis strategy; and addressing any technical issues related to survey administration and data collection.

Question 16

A pretest before the actual survey implementation can provide all of the following EXCEPT whether

Accepted Answer

A pretest helps determine if questions are clear, gather the desired information, and motivate participation, but it does not ensure questions are included in a list for respondents to choose from.

Question 17

Sample size is a function of the number of ____ to be used in the analysis.

Accepted Answer

Sample size is primarily determined by the number of variables to be used in the analysis, as this affects the complexity of the statistical models and the power of the study to detect significant effects or relationships.

Question 18

The Office of Economic Opportunity was the first to encourage the use of Public Forums to gather information. Since the mid-1970s which of the following regulations have also required the use of public forums as part of the planning process:

Accepted Answer

Title XX amendments to the Social Security Act require the use of public forums as part of the planning process to ensure community input and needs are considered in the allocation of social service funds.

Question 19

Public Forums allow residents who attend the meetings to do all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Public forums are designed for open dialogue and representation of individual or community concerns rather than providing a "perfect" opportunity for program planners. While they do offer a chance for planners to hear public concerns, the use of "perfect" suggests an ideal scenario that may not always be achievable due to various factors such as the diversity of opinions, potential conflicts, and the complexity of issues discussed.

Question 20

Focus groups can serve varying functions. Which of the following identifies the two different kinds of focus groups?

Accepted Answer

Focus groups can be categorized based on their composition, specifically into diverse groups, which include participants from various backgrounds, or homogeneous groups, which consist of participants with similar characteristics or experiences. This categorization is not based on specific demographic factors like gender, age, or race, but rather on the similarity or diversity of the participants' backgrounds relative to the research question.

Quiz 4: Needs Assessment: Approaches to Measurement