The objective of this paper is to identify common essential information and data needs of colleges and universities and to suggest a model to integrate these data needs into one office or department. The paper suggests there are five major data and information foundations that are essential to the effective functioning of an institution: (a)…

Addresses the dual impact of advancing information technology and increasing demands for institutional accountability, which have brought new challenges to college/university offices of institutional research. Offers a model of institutional research dissemination that is a compromise between internal reporting concerns and external accountability…

A methodology for developing a strategic, long-range organizational information architecture is described. The development of a plan to identify key categories of information to enhance decision making and operational productivity is detailed. Figures and tables detail the methodology's application at the University of Minnesota. (DB)

The scope of institutional research (IR) undertaken in Australasian universities is progressively expanding. A traditional focus on student life cycle elements such as enrolment, retention and satisfaction has been complemented for some years now by other areas of focus including research performance and community engagement. More recently,…

A description is provided of the process used by a university institutional research office to respond to questions from external groups and the institutional community about quality, effectiveness, and accountability. The institutional research office incorporated external and internal reports, along with institutional offices' planning,…

This paper examines the many facets of administrative information management on the college or university campus. It is argued that, depending on the situation, an effective information manager can adopt the outlook of an architect/designer, data administrator, editor, analyst, reporter, planner, broker, collaborator, interpreter, or marketer.…

This volume presents five papers on higher education institutional research in Maryland, all of which were originally presented at annual meetings of the Maryland Association for Institutional Research from 1993 through 1995. The first paper is "A Day in the Life of an Institutional Researcher: Past, Present and Future" (Merill…

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…

Improved management systems can be developed for colleges and universities if assumptions are correct and a well-defined process is used. A life-cycle approach is suggested whose subsystems and implementation at Augsburg College, a small private liberal arts institution, are described. (LBH)

This report details the research activities conducted by Del Mar College, as a subcontractor of Project FOLLOW-UP, in the design, development, and implementation of a graduate follow-up system. The activities included questionnaire design, development of manual and computerized record-keeping systems, student-graduate identification, and…

This report details the research activities conducted by San Antonio College (SAC) as a subcontractor of Project FOLLOW-UP, in the design, development, and implementation of a graduate follow-up system. Numerous information gathering techniques, including personal interviews and follow-up questionnaires, were attempted. Four different groups of…

Seven institutional research maxims based on research and theory about how people cognitively process information are discussed: more may not be better; augment humans with models; chunk data wisely; know decision-makers; heuristics are not always helpful; arrange tables by patterns; and accept negative evidence and new hypotheses. (Author/MLW)

The nature and form of useful management information in a variety of situations is discussed. It is suggested that questions posed by managers may determine the effectiveness of the management information system. Questions concerning demographic trends and enrollment declines are used to illustrate this point. (SF)

The potentials and problems of using computer programs for developing college planning models and policy are discussed, and the capabilities of a number of commonly-used programs are outlined. The need for understanding and participation by nontechnical administrators is emphasized. (MSE)

Suggested are concepts and ideas for organizing for institutional research so that it might become a legitimate and separate entity within higher education administration. The following three-way categorization of institutional research is advocated: institutional studies; management analyses; and periodic management reporting. The role of the…