Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2026
07:28
Psychophysically-anchored, Robust Thresholding in Studying Pain-related Lateralization of Oscillatory Prestimulus Activity
Published on: January 21, 2017
Synthetic estimates as an approach to needs assessment: issues and experience
NIDA Research Monograph
|February 1, 1979
Summary
Synthetic estimates provide valuable data on substance abuse program clientele in Oregon. Integrating these estimates with other information sources enhances their utility for program planning and policy development.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Services Research
- Substance Abuse Treatment
Background:
- Substance abuse programs require accurate data on potential clients for effective planning.
- Estimating the needs for substance abuse services can be challenging due to data limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To apply the synthetic estimates technique to determine the characteristics of potential clients for substance abuse programs in Oregon.
- To provide useful information for state and local program planners and administrators.
- To examine the application and validity of synthetic estimates in needs assessment.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the synthetic estimates technique to derive rates, numbers, types, and characteristics of potential clientele.
- Described methods for obtaining estimates and assessing their validity.
- Presented the experience of applying the study's findings in a program and policy context.
Main Results:
- The study successfully derived estimates for potential substance abuse program clientele in Oregon.
- Several applications highlighted the diverse ways the study's findings were utilized.
- Issues concerning validity, accuracy, specificity, and the role of synthetic estimates in needs assessment were identified.
Conclusions:
- Synthetic estimates can provide useful information for substance abuse program planning.
- The effectiveness of synthetic estimates is enhanced when integrated with quantitative and subjective data.
- Further consideration of validity, accuracy, and specificity is crucial for optimal use of synthetic estimates in needs assessment.
Related Concept Videos
02:30Naturalistic Observations
If you want to understand how behavior occurs, one of the best ways to gain information is to simply observe the behavior in its natural context. However, people might change their behavior in unexpected ways if they know they are being observed. How do researchers obtain accurate information when people tend to hide their natural behavior? As an example, imagine that your professor asks everyone in your class to raise their hand if they always wash their hands after using the restroom. Chances...
02:16Surveys
Often, psychologists develop surveys as a means of gathering data. Surveys are lists of questions to be answered by research participants, and can be delivered as paper-and-pencil questionnaires, administered electronically, or conducted verbally. Generally, the survey itself can be completed in a short time, and the ease of administering a survey makes it easy to collect data from a large number of people.
01:08The Availability Heuristic
A heuristic is a general problem-solving framework (Tversky & Kahneman, 1974). You can think of these as mental shortcuts that are used to solve problems. Different types of heuristics are used in different types of situations, and the impulse to use a heuristic occurs when one of five conditions is met (Pratkanis, 1989):
01:06What are Estimates?
It isn't easy to measure a parameter such as the mean height or the mean weight of a population. So, we draw samples from the population and calculate the mean height or mean weight of the individuals in the sample. This sample data acts as a representative measure of the population parameter. These sample statistics are known as estimates.
The estimate for the mean of a sample is denoted by ͞x, whereas the mean of the population is designated as μ. Further, parameters such as the mean,...
The estimate for the mean of a sample is denoted by ͞x, whereas the mean of the population is designated as μ. Further, parameters such as the mean,...
01:05Estimation of the Physical Quantities
On many occasions, physicists, other scientists, and engineers need to make estimates of a particular quantity. These are sometimes referred to as guesstimates, order-of-magnitude approximations, back-of-the-envelope calculations, or Fermi calculations. The physicist Enrico Fermi was famous for his ability to estimate various kinds of data with surprising precision. Estimating does not mean guessing a number or a formula at random. Instead, estimation means using prior experience and sound...
01:29Introspection
Introspection, long upheld as a reliable route to self-knowledge, involves examining one's thoughts, emotions, and mental processes. It underpins many psychological practices, from mindfulness meditation to psychotherapy and self-help strategies. However, empirical evidence challenges the accuracy of introspection as a means of understanding oneself.Limitations of Introspective InsightSeminal work by Nisbett and Wilson demonstrated that individuals are frequently unaware of the true causes...