PLANTRAN II is a system of computer software designed to assist educational administrators in their planning and analysis activities. The unique feature of PLANTRAN II is that it requires no computer programing experience or expertise. Users with technical background have found PLANTRAN II helpful in their analyses without reducing the complexity…

Too often computer applications try to supplant rather than augment human capabilities. As a result, there is a gap between the power of the computer and some difficult administrative problems; e.g., longrange planning. However, there is increasing interest in the use of computer simulation in planning. PLANTRAN II represents a completely new…

The material in this volume was developed for use in a series of workshops on institutional research and planning for colleges and universities. The workshop sessions made extensive use of computers. This was made possible through the use of PLANTRAN II, a computer simulation system designed to make the power of the computer available to the…

An institutional management systems development study examined the Management Information Systems (MIS) needs of 23 public institutions of higher education in Missouri. The result was a model framework for other institutions to develop MIS appropriate to their needs. One of five distinct structural development phases could be related to all…

The models presented in this volume were designed to fit the typical situation. Each user of these techniques will have to modify them to ensure their applicability to his institution. Although the material exploits the capabilities of the PLANTRAN system, computer processing is not required for use of the models. The techniques dealt with here…

The models presented in this volume were designed to fit the typical situation. Each user of these techniques will have to modify them to ensure their applicability to his institution. Although the material exploits the capabilities of the PLANTRAN system, computer processing is not required for use of the models. The techniques dealt with here…

It is suggested that much thought should be given to choosing an appropriate computer language for an institutional research office, considering the sophistication of the staff, types of planned application, size and type of computer, and availability of central programming support in the institution. For offices that prepare straight reports and…

Looks at how Pennsylvania State University is examining its evolving research administration infrastructure and investigating electronic research administration. Discusses use of total quality management techniques to view research administration as a single process, determine the best organizational level for various activities, and remove…

A model for planning regarding college faculty is described. The USC Faculty Planning Model was developed by Robert Linnell and Paul Gray in 1974 at the University of Southern California as an interactive mathematical model to trace characteristics of faculty groups over time. Characteristics listed by the model include: faculty age distribution,…

The applications of a recently developed computer program for microcomputers in developing models in an institutional research environment are considered. The VISICALC program requires no user programming skills, is available for all major brands of microcomputers, and provides for easy exchange of information between users of different computing…

It is recognized that growing management information systems will require increased user involvement in acquiring, maintaining, and manipulating essential institutional data. A technique called Service/Requirements Analysis has been developed for incorporating user input into system design and development. (MSE)

The development of an unusual database at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) is described. The Student Census-date Report File (STUCENFL) was designed to meet both internal and external data recipients' needs for student-related information. Attention is directed to needs for the database, underlying design…

The philosophy, structure, and operation of a Dutch system for institutional self-evaluation in higher education (AMOS) are described. The system is centrally designed to assist in national resource allocation for higher education, but the feedback is intended primarily for institutions and faculties to use in increasing efficiency and…

The demand for decision-support systems (DSSs) at the University of Hartford and the use of current software systems based on an information center approach are discussed. It is noted that declining enrollment demand and financial stress in tuition and enrollment-dependent universities requires a flexible and dynamic DSS for effective planning and…

The changing nature of institutional research due to the expanded use and capabilities of information technology was explored through a regional survey of institutional researchers, who indicated their involvement in information systems development. Results were analyzed for all respondents, by type of institution (four-year versus two-year), and…