Discusses trends in two-year college research, defines research, and poses questions that must be answered before research can be used effectively in management. Outlines steps in a decision-making system that converts data into planning concepts. Explains the need for a master plan and describes the master-planning process. (DD)

Discusses the need for institutional research in coping with reduced resources in community colleges. Outlines the experience of Northampton County Area Community College (Pennsylvania) in implementing a planning process and establishing goals. (MB)

Relates decision making to institutional research. Describes the development of the institutional research function in community colleges. Recommends professional development for institutional researchers. Reviews the literature on administrative use of institutional research and defines management. Discusses the role of research in planning,…

Presents a model of community college decision making based on institutional research illustrated using a case study of Pueblo Community College (Colorado). Describes three stages of an action plan including curriculum renewal, development of assessment and remediation services, and image improvement. Reviews results of research-based activities…

Task forces composed of students, faculty, administrators, and classified staff at Harford Community College (Maryland) undertook a year-long examination of the existing participatory governance structure in 1973-74. The governance system, the self-examination process, and the recommendations made are described. (DC)

Offers examples of research efforts undertaken at Miami-Dade Community College to analyze the college preparatory program, considering early research using placement test scores, research using college-preparatory course enrollment data, and most recent research using a longitudinal database. Argues that the research process must proceed with…

Offers a historical overview of the changing emphases of institutional research in community colleges during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Identifies key areas for institutional research (e.g., access and quality, employer needs, technological advances, and changing conditions in the external environment). Advocates proactive planning through…

Presents an annotated bibliography of ERIC materials, covering problems, practices, and priorities in institutional research; the role of the institutional research office; and research guidelines and procedures. (DMM)

Examines how one community college has developed a national Bellwether Award-winning data-driven decision-making process that uses its institutional research staff to make the transition from data to information. Characterizes some of the data and resulting information that might be useful to department chairs. Identifies issues and concerns that…

Describes how formative data on enrollment patterns and class offerings are collected and used at Oklahoma City Community College in marketing and scheduling. Evaluates the research effort in terms of its value in long-range strategic planning and managed decision making in day-to-day activities. (DMM)

Argues that community college vitality is directly proportional to the integration of the comfort and confidence levels of personnel involved in public relations, institutional research, and college leadership. Considers Miami-Dade Community College's use of data on student demographics, achievement test results, student satisfaction, and…

This collection of essays by current or former directors of institutional research represents the broad spectrum of size, function, and geography within institutional research in the two-year college. The volume contains: (1) "The Role of Institutional Research in Evaluation of Nontraditional Programs: College Preparatory Analysis at Miami-Dade…

Describes the context for current intense interest in educational effectiveness, presents basic steps in assessing institutional effectiveness (i.e., developing meaningful statements of institutional mission and goals, designing and implementing an institutional planning process, and identifying indicators of effectiveness), and discusses the…

Identifies components of a comprehensive assessment of an educational institution's external environment; i.e., demographic trends, social indicators, economic trends, political change, technological advances, changes in the workplace, advances in information technologies, and value shifts. (DMM)

This collection of essays focuses on the importance of accurate and timely information for effective decision making. First, Ivan Lach considers the proliferation of statewide planning and policy formation and discusses problems with and ways to improve statewide research. Next, Cheryl Opacinch focuses on decision making for federal postsecondary…