The document discusses how to conduct needs assessment surveys. It explains that a needs assessment survey has predetermined questions and sample, is conducted through interviews, phone calls or written responses, and has results that are tabulated, summarized, distributed and used. It also outlines reasons for conducting a needs assessment survey such as to learn more about group needs, get an objective description of needs, document needs, and ensure future actions align with community needs. Finally, it provides steps for carrying out a needs assessment survey, which include identifying reasons and goals for the survey, deciding sample size and questions, administering the survey, analyzing results, and planning and implementing future actions.

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Conducting Needs
Assessment Surveys

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A Needs Assessment Survey:
• Has a pre-set list of questions to be answered
• Has a pre-determined sample
• Is done by interview, phone, or written response
• Has results that are tabulated, summarized,
distributed, discussed, and used

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Why should you do a needs
assessment survey?
• To learn more about your group or community needs
• To get a more honest and objective description
• To become aware of needs you never knew about
• To document your needs
• To make sure your future actions are in line community
needs
• To garner greater support
• To involve more people in the subsequent action

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When should you not do a needs
assessment survey?
• When there is no doubt as to what needs to be
done
• When it is urgent to act right now
• When an assessment has been done recently
• When the community would see an assessment
as redundant or wasteful

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How do you carry out a needs
assessment survey?
1. Identify reasons for choosing to do the survey.
2. Identify survey goals.
3. Decide how much time you have to do the survey.
4. Decide how many people you are going to question.
5. Decide who will be asked.
6. Decide what questions will be asked.
7. Decide who will ask the questions.

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8. Create a draft of the survey.
9. Try out the survey on a test group.
10. Revise the survey.
11. Administer the survey.
12. Tabulate your results.
13. Interpret your results.
14. Plan future actions.
15. Implement your actions.
16. Repeat your assessment.
How do you carry out a needs
assessment survey?