What is a major disadvantage of using a community forum for needs assessments?

The selection indicating that it is challenging to obtain a representative sample emphasizes a crucial aspect of conducting community forums for needs assessments. Community forums often attract a specific group of individuals who have the time, interest, and motivation to participate in such discussions. As a result, the participants may not accurately reflect the broader community demographics, leading to biases in the data gathered. This limitation can result in skewed insights regarding community needs, as certain voices may dominate the conversation while underrepresented groups, who might have different needs and perspectives, are ignored. The validity of the assessment relies heavily on having a diverse and representative sample to ensure the results can be generalized across the entire community.

While other concerns, such as subjectivity in data collection and confidentiality risks, are valid, the challenge of obtaining a representative sample is particularly critical in the macro practice of social work, where comprehensive understanding of community needs is essential for effective program planning and service delivery.