Paper Assignment
In this paper, you should make sure that you present your argument in a clear, logical, and interesting way. Keep in mind that it is the paper that those who will make decisions about whether to approve your proposal will read. As an inclusive component, be aware that you are also serving as action learning facilitator for the project that includes public and government representatives trying to solve a societal problem that impacts a local community. Complete the following for the proposed project:
Describe the needs-based issue, its scope as implicative of a public problem, and the extent to which resolution of such needs-based issue is realistic to be achieved.
Describe the problem concept and levels of measurement at which the needs-based situation can be defined.
Describe the etiological analysis and SAF of the needs-based issue or problem concept.
Include the identification of the factors that cause (etiology) the problem.
Include an estimation of the numbers affected (target population).
Conduct a force field analysis to evaluate the systemic forces that can impede the change efforts.
Conduct a SWOT analysis to assess the current public needs assessments and A/CB in addressing the complexity of the problems.
Provide an analysis of the theoretical foundations of needs-based program planning processes.
Provide a clearly defined description that outlines the conceptualization of a measurable action plan.
Include a determination of the strategic planning process to the specific community issue.
Evaluate the theories and research methods used in public needs assessment processes.
Provide a rationale that justifies action and the expenditures of resources.
Consider the stakeholders you would reach out to, to make sure there is good community, organization, and government participation on the NAC or NAT.
Determine community needs-based data gathering sources to support the project, which must include quantitative and qualitative data to be gathered and how it will be gathered by designing effective instruments or tools such as survey instruments (at least five questions each for one quantitative survey instrument and one qualitative interview questionnaire required) for use in gathering data sources.
Describe a hybrid framework design for use in the public needs assessment and A/CB processes.
Describe an outcome-based method to evaluate the steps and activities in the action plan to gauge success.
The following headings represent the types of content that need to be covered in your paper submission. Although the above list has been incorporated into the content description below, you should ensure they are all suitably well addressed:
Introduction. (0.5-1 page): This subsection provides a summary statement of the problem concept and A/CB processes. It identifies an area of interest for your public needs assessment planning process that can support your action-oriented research project. It should not be more than 2-3 paragraphs. It usually is written after the rest of the section is completed. It tells the reader what the problem is, who is affected by the problem, the numbers affected, the geographic area you are targeting, and why the action should be taken.
Nature of the Problem Concept, Scope, and Measurement Levels. (1.5- 2 pages): In this subsection, you will be expected to discuss what is already known about the problem and A/CB building needs-based situation. Here, you will include clarifying statements (definitions), needs-based measurement levels (normative, felt or perceived, expressed, and comparative or relative), national, state, and local statistics, incidence and prevalence figures, and trends if they are available and appropriate to your description.
Hybrid Framework for Etiological Analysis and Situational Analysis Framework. (3.5-5 pages): In this subsection, you will be expected to apply an etiological analysis approach in explaining how the SAF implicates change management efforts of your action-oriented public needs assessment project. Therefore, it is imperative that in this section, you conduct a force field analysis to evaluate the systemic forces that can impede the change efforts. In addition, application of the variations of the needs-based analytic tools such as SWOT, PEST, PESTLE, STEP, or SLEPT can be used to conduct the etiological analysis.
However, the combined needs-based analytic tools such as the Lovebug analytic diagrammatic framework can rather be used to aid in assessing and gathering relevant data that structure the SAF on the current public needs assessments and A/CB in addressing the complexity of the problems. Whichever needs-based analytic tools are used, they should be described with perhaps a mind-map or concept illustration.
Furthermore, based on the review of the literature searched, be sure to provide a rationale and justification as to which identified problem-solving model is perceived to be appropriate in facilitation of the etiological analysis you would use in tackling the SAF for your public needs assessment project.
The Target Population. (1.5-2 pages): In this sub-section, you will discuss the specific population (demographic characteristics), stakeholders you would reach out to, to make sure there is good community, organization, and government participation on the NAC or NAT, and the geographic area on which you will focus. A/CB data that you will present will help to put your presentation of the problem concept (subsection "Nature of the Problem Concept, Scope, and Measurement Levels") into a local context. At the conclusion of this subsection, you should make a summary statement that allows the reader to know exactly who (stakeholders) you are going to recruit into the program, how many are affected, and where the program will be targeted.
Theoretical Foundations of Needs-Based Program Planning Processes. (2.5-3 pages): In this sub-section, you will discuss in some detail what you have learned about the problem from the research literature. Remember that the review of the literature is imperative to aid in identifying the theoretical foundations for designing of the needs-based program planning processes, coupled with the description of the problem-solving model, and their responsive project intervention strategies. After reviewing the research literature, you will focus on the researcher's underlying theoretical understandings of the problem and A/CB building needs-based situation in a way that help the reader to understand etiology as well as the basis for the intervention.
Now, based on the review of the literature, identify and describe at least two levels of theoretical foundations constituting the (a) theory of and (b) theory in that can serve as the backbone of your action-oriented public needs assessment project. Be sure to integrate at the minimum 10 peer-reviewed articles to demonstrate how the two levels of theories are in alignment with their unique planning processes and can support your action-oriented public needs assessment project to bring about systems changes.
Rationale for Action (1.5-2 pages): In this subsection, you will make the case that it is worthwhile to expend resources in the facilitation of the change efforts on the proposed needs-based A/CB program. You can do this in a number of ways depending on the nature of the program concept. You might argue that the problem is such that it needs to be dealt with within a framework of justice or fairness. You might choose to make the case that it will be more cost-effective to implement this intervention by preventing a later, more costly intervention (for example, outpatient counseling now versus possible in-patient treatment or incarceration at a later time). Or, you might argue the case in terms of an investment in human capital, enabling the recipients of your services to more fully participate as productive members of the community.
Description of Conceptualization of Measurable Action Plan: Hybrid Framework for Appropriate Intervention Strategy. (3.5-5 pages): In this subsection, you will provide a hybrid framework for appropriate intervention strategy in the form of a model for strategic planning similar to what is depicted on page 41 of your Bridging the Gap Between Asset/Capacity Building and Needs Assessment text. Determine strategic planning process to the specific community needs-based issue. Thus, the model for strategic planning combines the essential components of force field analysis and SWOT analysis conducted in subsection "Hybrid Framework for Etiological Analysis and Situational Analysis Framework" into a hybrid framework for appropriate intervention strategy.
In addition, using the assigned readings in this unit and the Unit 7 readings from your Designing and Managing Programs text, you must incorporate the revised design of the conceptualization of measurable action plan you intend on using for your public needs assessment project. Be sure that this includes descriptions of the overall goal, three outcome objectives and three corresponding process objectives, as well as their realistic program or project hypotheses, and their suitable program or project activities. Finally, be sure to include a description of an outcome-based method to evaluate the steps and activities in the action plan to gauge success.
Summary or Conclusion. (About half a page): This section summarizes each of the areas covered in this assignment. Start with a restatement of the purpose statement (verbatim) and tie this to the areas covered. It is a variation of the first section, the Introduction. Remember that in the Introduction your audience has no knowledge of the problem concept or population you intend to address, and by the time you write the Summary, you have walked them through the logic of your proposed public needs assessment program planning intervention. These two sections should reflect these different perspectives.
References. (2 pages): This section should list all sources used in the body of the paper adhering to current APA formatting and style. It should be noted that you are expected to communicate effectively in the body of the paper through the appropriate application of grammar, punctuation, spelling, writing mechanics, and professional tone.
Note: All page suggestions assume double spacing with 1-inch margins all around and a standard font size as specified.
Other Requirements
Your paper should meet the following requirements:
Written communication: Written communication should demonstrate effective academic analysis.
Resources: Remember to support your project analysis at each level with peer-reviewed literature in addition to the text. A minimum of 20 peer-reviewed sources should be used to support your analysis.
APA format: Be sure to format your paper using current APA style and formatting guidelines.
Length of paper: 15-20pages, excluding the cover page and references list. Table-generated action plan and data gathering instruments can be presented in an appendix and are not included in the page limit.