Development and Validation of a Needs Assessment Model Using Stakeholders Involved in a University Program

Abstract

In 1982, Guba and Lincoln outlined a needs assessment process based on a definition of need drawn from Kaufman’s (1972) concept of discrepancy and Scriven and Roth’s (1978) view of significant benefit and state of dissatisfaction. However, this needs assessment process was never operationalized. The need for additions to this process has led to the development of a genuine needs assessment model and a validation process with five groups of stakeholders concerned or targeted by an undergraduate university nursing program in Canada. The model was validated using focus groups, questionnaires, the hermeneutical approach, and the magnitude estimation scaling method. The results show that some features of the model are more relevant than others, and respondents must be allowed to define their interpretation of the concept of need in order to clarify the process.