Types of Learning Needs
Types of Needs Assessments
Pros/Cons
100

What the student may think they want to learn

Perceived need

100

A type of conversation conducted in person or over the phone to gain insight into someone's perspective 

Interview

100

They are inexpensive, can sample large numbers, and can be returned anonymously. 

Questionnaire/Surveys

200

What the student says they want to learn

Expressed need

200

Usually comprised of seven to ten randomly selected participants

Focus group

200

It gives a researcher an in-depth understanding of an individuals perspective, not anonymous, can be by phone or in person, and can be time-consuming

Interviews

300

The needs of two groups compared to one another

Comparative need

300

Reviews and assessments of patients medical records

Chart audit

300

A person that can be used to assess competency 

Standardized patient 

400

What the learners don't know that they need to know

Unpercieved need

400

The patient's chart is used to stimulate the professionals to recall a particular case and its management. 

Chart-stimulated recall

400

Trained health professionals are used to conduct interviews during chart review.

Chart-stimulated recall

500

A professional body such as the American Board of Internal Medicine sets standards for learners knowledge 

Normative need

500

An educator assess their surroundings to help them identify current and potential learning needs

Enviromental scan

500

The members of the group gather and discuss their frames. Time-consuming and lacks anonymity which therefore may change the respondent's answers.

Focus groups