CPP Needs Assessment & Data Collection 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which data source is considered a PRIMARY data source in community needs assessment?
- Published census reports
- State epidemiological profiles
- Focus groups conducted with community members (Correct answer)
- Existing program evaluation reports
Correct answer: Focus groups conducted with community members
Primary data is collected directly from the population of interest, such as through focus groups, surveys, or interviews.
Question 2: The PRECEDE-PROCEED model is used in needs assessment primarily to:
- Calculate statistical significance of risk factors
- Identify predisposing, reinforcing, and enabling factors affecting health behavior (Correct answer)
- Design randomized controlled trials
- Establish cost-benefit ratios for prevention programs
Correct answer: Identify predisposing, reinforcing, and enabling factors affecting health behavior
PRECEDE-PROCEED provides a framework for identifying the multiple factors (predisposing, reinforcing, enabling) that influence health behaviors and guide intervention planning.
Question 3: When comparing substance use rates across counties, a prevention specialist should use:
- Raw count data from hospital admissions
- Age-adjusted rates to control for demographic differences (Correct answer)
- Total population figures only
- Self-reported arrest records
Correct answer: Age-adjusted rates to control for demographic differences
Age-adjusted rates allow valid comparisons between populations with different demographic compositions.
Question 4: Which survey methodology is MOST appropriate when reaching marginalized or hard-to-reach populations?
- Random-digit dialing telephone survey
- Respondent-Driven Sampling (RDS) (Correct answer)
- Online opt-in panel survey
- Mail intercept survey
Correct answer: Respondent-Driven Sampling (RDS)
Respondent-Driven Sampling leverages social networks of hard-to-reach populations to recruit representative samples.
Question 5: A prevention professional reviewing archival data notices arrest records show a sharp spike two years ago. The BEST next step is to:
- Immediately design an intervention targeting that spike
- Investigate whether a policy change or data collection shift explains the anomaly (Correct answer)
- Remove the outlier data point before analysis
- Report the spike as evidence of a worsening trend
Correct answer: Investigate whether a policy change or data collection shift explains the anomaly
Spikes in archival data may reflect changes in reporting practices, law enforcement priorities, or coding rather than true prevalence changes.
Question 6: In epidemiological terms, INCIDENCE refers to:
- The total number of existing cases in a population at a given time
- The number of new cases occurring in a defined period (Correct answer)
- The severity of disease within a population
- The proportion of the population at risk
Correct answer: The number of new cases occurring in a defined period
Incidence measures new cases arising in a defined population over a specific time period, distinguishing it from prevalence.
Question 7: Which element is ESSENTIAL when developing a community survey instrument for substance use needs assessment?
- Using technical jargon to ensure precision
- Pilot testing with a small sample from the target population (Correct answer)
- Including at least 100 questions for comprehensive coverage
- Avoiding sensitive questions to maximize response rates
Correct answer: Pilot testing with a small sample from the target population
Pilot testing identifies confusing items, cultural mismatches, and logistical issues before full deployment.
CPP Needs Assessment & Data Collection 2
Which data source is considered a PRIMARY data source in community needs assessment?