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Session Title: Face to Face With the Authors of the Needs Assessment Kit: Challenging Questions (With a Twist) and Hopefully Meaningful Answers
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Panel Session 377 to be held in TRAVIS C on Thursday, Nov 11, 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM
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Sponsored by the Needs Assessment TIG
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| Chair(s): |
| James Altschuld, The Ohio State University, altschuld.1@osu.edu
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| Discussant(s):
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| Hsin-Ling Hung, University of Cincinnati, hunghg@ucmail.uc.edu
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| Abstract:
Needs Assessment (NA) is a necessary part of the process of planning, implementing, and evaluating successful programs. The Needs Assessment KIT (five integrated books on the process) was published in late 2009. Its goal was to enhance the practice of NA. This panel is an opportunity to question the authors via a lively and highly interactive format, part of which will be the solicitation before the conference of questions and comments as well as obtaining those from the audience for the session. The discussants will use themes from them to guide the discussion – the panelists will not have access to prior issues and thoughts. Thus the discussion will not be scripted and spontaneous in nature.
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A Quick Overview of the Kit
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| James Altschuld, The Ohio State University, altschuld.1@osu.edu
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The conceptualization and structure of the KIT will be explained, all authors will be acknowledged, and books 1-3 will be described in outline form. The rationale for why a KIT was needed and how it might be utilized will be offered. A few unique aspects of what is contained in the first three books will be discussed (steps of the three phases of the NA process, the extensive glossary of NA terms, looking at a small number of techniques but in much greater depth, record keeping strategies of accomplishments, etc).
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Pesky Analysis and Prioritization in Needs Assessment
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| Jeffry White, University of Louisiana, Lafayette, jlw7049@louisiana.edu
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White will explain the purpose of book 4 in the KIT especially with an emphasis on how multiple forms of data might be worked with and issues related to prioritizing needs. Included in this discussion would be how to present data to make it meaningful and useful to decision-making audiences and concerned stakeholders. Analysis and prioritization are two essential components of NA and at the same time two of the most frequently glossed over ones.
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Where the Rubber Meets the Roaf: Taking Action for Change
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| Laurel Stevahn, Seattle University, stevahnl@seattleu.edu
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| Jean A King, University of Minnesota, kingx004@umn.edu
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Needs assessments aren’t worth very much if they don’t lead to organizational actions and eventually to change and improvement. That is the essence of book 5 in the KIT. Stevahn and King will explain their rationale for it and the interesting use of what they termed ‘the double dozen’ techniques. One other important topic in the book is that of evaluation of the needs assessment enterprise itself and its and outcomes. Surprisingly the literature does not contain many exemplars for what should be an incumbent act for any individual or group doing an assessment.
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