Maintaining An Effective Institutional Research Office TAIR Newcomers February 20 and 22, 2002 Omni Marina Hotel Corpus Christi, Texas

Presented by Marilyn J. Greer, Ph.D. Director, Institutional Research University of Houston

Many thanks to TAIR for sponsoring the “Train the Trainer” session at the AIR Forum in Long Beach, California. This presentation follows an outline by Karen W. Bauer, Ph.D. Assistant Director Institutional Research and Planning University of Delaware

Projections of Education Statistics, National and Texas, to 2015

Current Trends in Higher Ed. Students More diverse, older student body More remedial needs Most employed while enrolled Differing reasons for college attendance Technologically comfortable Big consumers – credit cards, cars, cell phones View themselves as CUSTOMERS to colleges

Projections of Education Statistics – NCES Projections of Education Statistics – NCES Enrollment in degree-granting institutions is projected to increase 20% by 2011 (to 17.7m). Public institution enrollment is expected to increase to 13.6 m (20%) by Private institution enrollment is expected to increase 4.1m (18%) by 2011.

State of Texas Projections, Total Texas population will grow at an average annual rate of 2%; Hispanics are projected to increase from 31% to 39%; Blacks are expected to decrease from 11.4% to 10.6%; Whites are also projected to decrease from 54.6% to 45.3%. (from Study Paper 27, updated January 2001.)

Texas Higher Ed. Projections Enrollments are projected to increase: For public universities, 1.5% annual increase between 2000 and 2005; 2005 to 2015, increase by 1.1% annually or a total of 498,000 by 2015; For public community colleges, 1.7% increase between 2000 & 2005; 2005 to 2015, increase by 1.6% or a total of 559,000. (from Study Paper 27, updated January 2001.)

Roles of the IR Professional: 1.Provide useful information; 2.Maintain timelines and efficiency; 3. Be accurate; and 4. Be knowledgeable of current trends in the economy, legislation, and education.

What is Institutional Research?  “Research leading to improved understanding, planning, and operations of institutions of post- secondary education.” (AIR)  “Provides information to senior leaders that will be used for decision making. Sometimes we are involved in decision-making, sometimes not.” (K. Bauer, U of Delaware)  “Accurate, timely, unbiased, research-based information regarding the University and its role in higher education that serves as a catalyst in support of the University’s mission, effective operations of the University, and customers of the University.” (UH Fact Book 2000)

Skills of an IR Professional Familiarity with fundamentals of institutional research; Technological and analytical skills; Issues intelligence; and Contextual intelligence.

III. Institutional Research Resources Books and Monographs  AIR  New Directions Series  Sage Publications  ASHE-ERIC Readers  Specialty Areas

IR Resources – Journals and Reports Journals and Reports  AIR Professional File  Chronicle of Higher Education  Department of Education Reports  Research in Higher Education  Journal of Higher Education

IR Resources Professional Associations Professional Associations  Association for Institutional Research (  Southern Association for Institutional Research (  Texas Association for Institutional Research (

External & Internal Resources  External Resources – Data Sources  Carnegie Classification of Universities  Common Data Set  National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)  U. S. Census Bureau  U.S. News and World Report

External & Internal Resources  External Resources – commissions, public education agencies  Association of American Universities  Legislative Budget Board  National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education  Southern Association of Colleges and Schools  Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

Internal Resources  Annual Reports  Institutional Financial Statements  College Library Resources  Internally developed surveys or purchased instruments  Facts and Figures booklets or sheets  Inter-Institutional comparisons

IV. Key Responsibilities  Data Collection and Reporting  Enrollment Management  Inter-Institutional Comparisons: Peer Group Studies – Peer Studies  Fact Books

Data Collection and Reporting How do you collect data? Use of a Data Warehouse

Enrollment Management  Analysis of Groups  Enrollment Projections/Modeling  Graduation and Retention Reports

Inter-Institutional Comparisons Types of Comparison Groups oCompetitor oAspiring oPre-Determined oPeer

FACT BOOKS

Assessment in Institutional Research

5 Steps for Assessment Projects 1.Specify Goals and Objectives; 2.Design the Overall System; Select Methods and Measures; 3.Collect Data 4.Analyze and Interpret Data 5.Report Findings

Designing a Survey Instrument

Focus Groups

VI. Financial Analysis General Finance/Budget Requests Student Financial Aid Salary Comparisons, Equity Studies Faculty Workload

Salary Equity Studies – Suggested Variables Rank Tenure Gender Ethnic/Racial Status Years of Service Degree Level Type of Degree Number of Terminal Degrees Years in Rank Department School Where Received Degree

VII. Presentation of Data A.Stages of Data Analysis B.Presentation Guidelines C.Presentation Design Elements

Presentation Design Elements Professional Appearance Ask a trusted colleague to listen to the presentation Think visually Font Selection Clip Art Color

Summary Strategies for Successful IR Establish centrality of the office; Establish a friendly, professional relationship with key campus individuals; Write reports that are easy to understand; Obtain data from primary sources; Use survey research only when needed; & Be a FORWARD THINKER!

Thank you! Good Luck with Institutional Research!