Needs assessment

A needs assessment is a systematic process for determining and addressing needs, or "gaps", between current conditions, and desired conditions, or "wants".[1]

Needs assessments can help improve policy or program decisions, individuals, education, training, organizations, communities, or products.[2]

There are three types of need in a needs assessment: perceived need, expressed need and relative need.

  1. Perceived needs are defined by what people think about their needs; each standard changes with each respondent.
  2. Expressed needs are defined by the number of people who have sought help and focuses on circumstances where feelings are translated into action. A major weakness of expressed needs assumes that all people with needs seek help.
  3. Relative needs are concerned with equity and must consider differences in population and social pathology.[3]
  1. ^ Kizlik, Bob. "Needs Assessment Information (Wants determine needs)". ADPRIMA. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
  2. ^ Watkins, West Meiers & Visser 2012, p. 5.
  3. ^ Bradshaw, J. (1972). "The concept of social need". New Society. Vol. 30. pp. 640–643. ISSN 0028-6729.  • Kettner, P.M.; Moroney, R.M.; Martin, L.L. (2008). Designing and managing programs: An effectiveness-based approach. Los Angeles: Sage. ISBN 9780761915492.
     • Maslow, A. (1954). Motivation and personality. New York: Harper & Row.
     • Ponsioen, J. (1962). Social welfare policy: Contributions to theory. The Hague, the Netherlands: Mouton.
     • Wallace, H.; Gold, E.; Dooley, S. (1967). "Availability and usefulness of selected health and socioeconomic data for community planning". American Journal of Public Health. 57 (5): 762–771. doi:10.2105/ajph.57.5.762. PMC 1227354. PMID 6067201.