1)How do we define need in terms of want or preferences?
2)What are some limitations of defining need as discrepancy in needs
assessment research?

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Request for Question Clarification by sublime1-ga on 19 Aug 2002 00:04 PDT

gy...

Needs assessments are used in a variety of contexts...
I am most familiar with them in terms of assessing
the needs of mental health clients, but they can be
utilized in practically any field, from personnel
performance reviews to disaster recovery in a 
geographical location. Your interest in defining
needs in terms of wants or preferences implies an
interest in the use of needs assessments in the 
social services arena, where wants and preferences
are more likely to be considered as needs. It might
help if you could specify the area of appication
you have in mind.

sublime1-ga