EXAM 1: Tools For Needs Assessment

Question 1

How will the data be collected?

Answer 1

Existing Data (secondary)
New data (primary)
- surveys/questionnaires
- interviews
- focus groups
- observation
- nutrition assessment
Methods
- sample vs. whole population

Question 2

What are ways to verify the trustworthiness of data

Answer 2

Considering where the data is published
Check who funded the collection and analysis of the data
Are authors identified
How recently has it been updated

Question 3

What are the advantages of secondary data

Answer 3

Data are inexpensive or free
Faster than collecting original data
Excellent data quality (usually)

Question 4

What are the disadvantages of secondary data collection

Answer 4

May not relate to local community
May not have data for specific subgroups
May be statistically difficult to analyze

Question 5

What is an advantage of primary data collection

Answer 5

Allows you to better meet the goals and objectives of your needs assessment

Question 6

What is a disadvantage of primary data collection

Answer 6

Data collection can be expensive and time-consuming

Question 7

What is validity

Answer 7

Accuracy

Question 8

What is reliability

Answer 8

Repeatability

Question 9

What are the different types of surveys

Answer 9

In-person, mail, phone or online

Question 10

What are the advantages of a survey

Answer 10

Whole population could be surveyed
Could be quick to administer
Provides opportunity for many people to be involved
Good for collecting socio-economic and demographic data

Question 11

What are the disadvantages of a survey

Answer 11

Could be hard to develop accurate and valid questions
Response rate is often low, biased
Literacy issue

Question 12

Do interviews directly or indirectly learn about a target group

Answer 12

Indirectly, key leaders, decision makes and professionals in the community are interviewed

Question 13

What are advantages of personal interviews

Answer 13

Allows continuous clarification of ideas and information
Inexpensive
Combines well with other techniques

Question 14

What are the disadvantages of interviews

Answer 14

Time consuming
May require travel
Information could be biased

Question 15

What are focus groups

Answer 15

People that relate to the topic
Series of open-ended questions carefully arranged in a natural and logical sequence
Generally 8-12 people
Allows for groups interaction
Gain insight into why certain opinions are held
No pressure to reach consensus
Qualitative data

Question 16

What are the guidelines for developing focus groups

Answer 16

Questions:
Open ended
Avoid yes or no questions
Logical sequence
Moderator:
Role is to guide discussion
Shouldn’t be too different than group members
Communication skills
Avoids giving personal opinions

Question 17

What are the advantages of focus groups

Answer 17

Socially oreinted - allows for interactions
Format allows for moderator to probe and clarify ideas
Can be low in cost
Can be speedy

Question 18

What are the disadvantages of a focus group

Answer 18

Less control than in an individual interview
Can be difficult to analyze
Requires a skilled moderator
Different groups can vary considerably
Difficult to assemble

Question 19

What is a direct observation data collection method

Answer 19

Staff would directly observe aspects of the community and record them

Question 20

What is sensitivity

Answer 20

Portion of individuals in the sample with the disease or condition who have been positively identified by a screening test
“True positive rate”
A sensitive test rarely misses people with disease or condition

Question 21

What is specificity

Answer 21

Proportion of individuals in the sample without the disease who have been accurately identified by the screening test as NOT having the disease
“True Negative Rate”
May need to confirm diagnosis if test is not specific