Needs Assessment: An Overview (Book 1)

About the Book

In 1995, Witkin and Altschuld proposed a three phase process model of needs assessment:

- Preassessment (learning as much as possible from existing, inexpensive sources)

- Assessment (collecting new information about the needs in consideration)

- Postassessment (prioritizing needs, understanding their causes, and translating priorities into action plans for organizations).

The model has been extensively re-conceptualized and forms the basis for this book. The content includes a user-oriented approach to a comprehensive overview of the three phases and the 14 key steps necessary to implement them.

Numerous examples and practical illustrations are given throughout the text as guidance for needs assessors and those who do research on the topic. An extensive glossary of needs-related terms and an outline of a final report are also provided. The book is the first one in the Needs Assessment KIT with connections to the other four.

Table of Contents:
Preface Acknowledgments About the Authors 1. Beginnings 2. A Generic Needs Assessment Model and Steps 3. Phase I: Preassessment 4. Phase II: Assessment 5. Phase II: The Other Parts of Assessment 6. Phase III: Postassessment Appendix Glossary References Index

About the Author :
James W. Altschuld, PhD, is Professor Emeritus at The Ohio State University where he taught program evaluation, needs assessment, and research methods. He has published and presented extensively in the field of evaluation particularly with regard to how needs are assessed.   Dr. David Devraj Kumar is professor of science education at Florida Atlantic University. He earned his doctorate in science education from Vanderbilt University, a master’s in analytical chemistry from the University of Louisville, and master’s and bachelor’s degrees in chemistry from the University of Kerala, India. He is a former associate dean of research and graduate studies in education at Florida Atlantic University, a former postdoctoral fellow at The Ohio State University, and a former guest scholar at The Brookings Institution. His research interests include hypermedia learning environments, science-technology-society studies, evaluation and policy. His publications include refereed journal articles and books. He is an elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and an elected member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts (Salzburg, Austria). His recognitions include the Best Program Evaluation Research Award (with J. Altschuld) from the Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education, the Chemical Pioneer award from The American Institute of Chemists, and the Researcher of the Year Award from Florida Atlantic University. Dr. Kumar sits on the editorial boards of the Journal of Science Education and Technology, and the Journal of Materials Education, and the Policy Futures in Education. He was appointed by the Governor of Florida to the Board of Directors of the Florida Fund for Minority Teachers, Inc.