CCMH/525: Research Methods For Mental Health Counselors
Wk 5 – Needs Assessment, Part 1
Assignment Content
Prior to completing this week’s assignment, review Ch. 16, “Program Evaluation,” of your textbook. Refer to p 643 to learn more about conducting a needs assessment.
Your research study proposal will require you to describe the research methods and procedures you intend to use to conduct the study. This section of your proposal will combine information gathered from two items: a needs assessment and a program evaluation. You will begin the needs assessment this week and complete it in Week 6, then write a program evaluation in Week 7.
A needs assessment will help you collect valuable information about any population you are studying.
A program evaluation will use the needs assessment you’ve created to help you formulate a plan for assessing your study proposal.
Using your research topic and/or question and the literature you have collected for your research study proposal, conduct a needs assessment to support your proposal. Follow these steps:
Read existing literature related to the research study proposal you have selected.
Interview at least one specialist in the field. This person(s) should provide relevant and essential information about the topic. Try to get as much information as you can on gaps that exist between available and needed services and resources.
Ask probing questions.
What is the single most pressing need that homeless individuals have in this community? What are other important needs?
How are these needs currently being addressed? If a particular need is not being addressed, why is it not being addressed? What resources are currently available for addressing these needs? Who would you deliver the needed services?
Be sure to select a specialist who can adequately represent the topic you are researching and help you determine a specific need to be addressed.
Provide the specialist with the University of Phoenix Interview Consent Form prior to conducting the interview.
Write a brief (1 page) summary of your interview. Explain how the information provided is relevant to your research study proposal.