In this research brief we present the results of a recent needs assessment evaluating the advocacy-based needs for Kentuckians with developmental disabilities and their families. Results highlight the different levels and types of supports needed to build self-advocacy capacity and to inform effective planning and services and the individual,…

The report documents activities concerned with the planning and design of a National Information Center on Deafness at Gallaudet College. Development activites included: (1) establishment of an Information Center Advisory Committee; (2) a survey of agencies, institutions, organizations, and programs serving deaf people to assess their information…

This report describes a one-year project to develop a comprehensive dissemination plan that would (1) provide a network within the state of Washington for two-way communication, (2) utilize the linkage potential of the 12 educational service districts, (3) incorporate existing instructional and informational resources, (4) develop training…

Presents a planning guide for implementation of online services at a public library, consisting of: (1) identification of public service goals and online reference objectives, (2) needs assessment, (3) manipulating the political environment, (4) project description, (5) time schedule, (6) preliminary budget, and (7) evaluation. (SW)

This workshop investigated how managers can evaluate, select, and effectively use information resource management (IRM) tools, especially data dictionary systems (DDS). An executive summary, which provides a definition of IRM as developed by workshop participants, precedes the keynote address, "Data: The Raw Material of a Paper Factory,"…

The paper describes an inservice workshop on learning disabilities for college faculty including the processes used to assess needs and promote inservice involvement. Positive inservice evaluations suggested attainment of program goals of providing information about learning disabilities and discussing ethical and pedagogical issues concerning…

A mixed-method program evaluation, concurrently using both qualitative interview data and quantitative questionnaire data, was conducted. It illustrated significant design and analysis issues related to integrating quantitative and qualitative methods, specifically between-method and cross-paradigm triangulation. (Author/GDC)

The survey methodology outlined in these guidelines is aimed at helping the professional planner in a developing nation to anticipate user information needs for the population as a whole according to the particular characteristics of his own country. Part of the initial planning and design of a national information system, such a survey must be…

The study was designed to identify the factors, priorities, and information needs of vocational educational planners in Minnesota. Questions were formulated which focused on types of vocational programs, number of programs, schedule, and location of programs. Procedures for identifying factors, priorities, and information needs included (1) use of…

A study examined the marketing research information required by those executives of Lakeshore Technical College (Wisconsin) whose decisions affect the college's direction. Data were gathered from the following sources: literature review; development of a data dictionary framework; analysis of the college's current information system through…

The overall goal of the Vocational Education Information Services project was to support vocational education in Indiana by facilitating more efficient use of information and by developing more effective products for wide dissemination. First, a needs assessment was conducted to determine specific user populations and user needs for information…

Conducted a needs assessment of 261 students to assess career planning needs by class and to make program recommendations. Results showed 68 percent of the students reported little chance of changing majors. Freshmen and sophomores had more career planning needs. Career programs developed in response to these needs are described. (JAC)

Describes efforts to assess the information needs of the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota prior to developing the Integrated Information Center (IIC). Discussion covers client groups to be served by the IIC, information requirements of the department, and assessments of current and future information technology…

Two evaluation projects conducted for the Minnesota Agricultural Extension Service are examined from a user-focused perspective: (1) a needs assessment of large scale commercial farmers for program development by the Office of Special Programs; and (2) a review of the extension programs in Nicollet County. Each incorporated the focus group method…

Needs assessment is presented as a scanning process to identify if and where interventions are required in the educational setting and also to build and support successful implementation of those processes. Themes or perspectives, which provide a general framework for the work of a needs assessment team, are outlined. Within this framework, needs…