Abstract
The intent of the authors in preparing this paper is to compare and contrast the roles of Institutional Research in informing decision making and governance in higher education. Using a case study format the authors will provide an example of a research project conducted within each of the following sectors of United States higher education system: private 4-year not for profit, public major research institutions/private specialized institutions, and a pubic state university system. The first case study from the private sector will feature a mixed methodology study that used data from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) and student focus groups to explore student engagement at this institution and inform faculty development. The second case study will compare the use of data for decision making from the standpoint of large public research institutions and private specialized institutions. The third case study from a state university system focuses on recent initiatives in the public sector to inform the public, the institutions, the State, and the federal government using data from institutional research offices, student engagement surveys, and student learning assessments shared through consortia and national associations. These examples will be discussed within the structure of decision making and governance in higher education.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adelman, C. (1999). Answers in the tool box: Academic intensity, attendance patterns, and bachelor’s degree attainment. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Research and Improvement.
American Association of State Colleges and Universities. (AASCU) (2007). Voluntary system of accountability: A joint project of AASCU and the National Association of State University and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC). Retrieved October 5, 2007 from http://www.aascu.org/accountability/default.htm.
California Postsecondary Education Commission (CPEC). (1976–2007). Reports: Eligibility. Sacramento, CA: CPEC. Retrieved October 8, 2007 from http://www.cpec.ca.gov/Publications/ListingByTopic.ASP.
Campbell, J., DeBlois, P., & Oblinger, D. (2007). Academic analytics: A new tool for a new era. EDUCAUSE Review Magazine, 42(4). Retrieved May 2, 2006 from http://www.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/erm0742.pdf.
Chickering, A. W., & Gamson, Z. F. (1987). Seven principles for good practice in undergraduate education. AAHE Bulletin, 39(7), 3–7.
Friedman, T. (2005). The World is flat. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
Georgia Institute of Technology, Center for Undergraduate Research. (n.d.). Retrieved October 5, 2007 from http://www.undergradresearch.gatech.edu/.
Georgia Institute of Technology, Center for Undergraduate Research. (n.d.). Retrieved October 5, 2007 from http://undergradresearch.gatech.edu/documents/UROP-news-August%202007-ver2.pdf.
Goldstein, P. (2005). Academic analytics: The Uses of management information and technology in higher education. Educause Center for Applied Research. Retrieved October 5, 2007 from http://www.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ECM/ECM0508.pdf.
Inside Higher Education. (2007). Meeting of the minds. Washington, DC: Inside Higher Education, by-line Doug Lederman. Retrieved October 7, 2007, accessed by Googling FIPSE, from http://insidehighered.com/news/2007/09/27/fipse.
Kuh, G. D. (2003). The National survey of student engagement: Conceptual framework and overview of psychometric properties. Retrieved October 5, 2007 from http://nsse.iub.edu/pdf/conceptual_framework_2003.pdf.
Middaugh, M. F., Trusheim, D. W., & Bauer, K. W. (1994). Strategies for the practice of institutional research: Concepts, resources, and applications. Tallahassee, Florida: The Association for Institutional Research.
North Carolina State University. (n.d.). DELTA: Distance Learning and Technology Applications. Retrieved October 5, 2007 from http://lts.ncsu.edu/.
Spellings Commission. (2006). A Test of leadership: Charting the future of U.S. higher education. U.S. Department of Education. Retrieved October 5, 2007, from http://www.ed.gov/about/bdscomm/list/hiedfuture/reports/final-report.pdf.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Coughlin, M.A., Hoey, J. & Hirano-Nakanishi, M. Sector differences in the role of institutional research in informing decision making and governance in higher education. Asia Pacific Educ. Rev. 10, 69–81 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12564-009-9003-6
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12564-009-9003-6