Your original response to the Discussion topic should be at least 350 words and should reflect the fact that you have completed the Reading and activities. Use your words wisely so that the posting has substance and includes examples and explanations. Best practice is to include citations and a reference list.

Methods of Gathering Information for a Community-Needs Assessment

There are individual methods, such as surveys, of gathering information for a community-needs assessment, and group methods, such as focus groups. Compare and contrast some of the positive and negative aspects of collecting information for a community-needs assessment in an individual versus group format.

Explore the role of focus groups versus interviews as they relate to community-needs assessments. In your answer, be certain to evaluate whether you think one method is more beneficial with regard to gathering information for community-needs assessments.

After evaluating the different methods of gathering information for a community-needs assessment, determine which three methods you think are the most useful for organizations. Be sure to justify why you chose the three methods.

• Examine the role that secondary data sources play with regard to gathering information for a community-needs assessment. Determine the importance of exploring secondary data sources as one of the ways to gather data when conducting a community-needs assessment.