Needs Assessment Training Module

Needs Assessment Training

Characterizing Your Audience

Characterizing your audience means figuring out the essential traits, abilities, and knowledge of the members of that audience. Conducting a target audience assessment will help you decide who needs what.. The information below details the types of questions and information you will ask in characterizing your audience:


	Knowledge		What degree of knowledge does the target population have relating to this issue? Do they have an understanding of current events related to the issue? Are they familiar with any special terms or acronyms?


	Training		What type of prior training or skills does the population have related to the issue?


	Tools and Techniques		What tools and techniques does the population currently use or have access to?


	Benefits		What are the personal benefits to the population in learning about this issue or changing tools/techniques?


	Attitudes and Biases		What attitudes and biases does the audience have towards the issue? How does the population feel about training opportunities or any changes required in tools/techniques? What training methodologies will work best with this audience?


	Ability to Attend or Access		Are there any factors that will affect the ability to access, attend or utilize any training or other tools/techniques?


	Cultural Characteristics		Are there any cultural issues?

On the next few pages you will be given an example to help you think about audience characterization.

Coastal Services Center

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Characterizing Your Audience