The prevalence and emergence of college promise programs presents interesting and important methodological challenges. Based on their immediate access to de-identified data of applicants and enrollees, institutional researchers are in a privileged position to rigorously assess the effect of these programs in a myriad of outcomes. This study is a…

This chapter provides a framework for grounding social justice principles at the center of learning in higher education program assessment and evaluation courses. Pedagogical reflections are drawn from the classroom experiences of three faculty of color who represent diverse institutional, programmatic, and geographic contexts. Their advanced…

This chapter explores the importance of systematic evaluation of co-curricular activities directed at graduate- and professional- school students. Approaches to assessment and benefits of sound practice are presented along with the critical role that institutional researchers can play.

This chapter provides examples of innovative methods and tools to collect, analyze, and report both quantitative and qualitative data in student affairs assessment.

Qualitative methods can do much to describe context and illuminate the why behind patterns encountered in institutional assessment. Alone, or in combination with quantitative methods, they should be the approach of choice for many of the most important assessment questions. (Contains 1 table.)

Programs that serve underrepresented minority students have long faced many challenges. Prior to the late 1970s, higher education institutions reserved academic program slots for underrepresented minority students because these students had limited access to opportunities that afforded them credentials that their white counterparts could more…

The differences between evaluation of academic units and evaluation of administrative units are discussed, and the development and implementation of a procedure for administrative unit evaluation at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is described. (MSE)

A discussion of administrative program evaluation addresses the problem and opportunity of evaluation from the perspective of the administrator or institutional researcher by suggesting criteria for deciding on the need for formal evaluation, examining several evaluation design strategies, and looking at how evaluation can enhance organizational…

Issues in the evaluation of the college planning process are examined, and 13 questions to be addressed in assessing both strategic and operational planning functions are presented, including criteria for evaluating (1) the decisional aspect of planning, (2) planning data, and (3) the process. Evaluation methods are also discussed. (MSE)

Information use can be defined in many ways depending on a variety of organizational, personal, and presentational factors. The experience of evaluation researchers provides some guides for practice. (Author/MSE)

Measurement of the effectiveness and efficiency of college business affairs offices demands attention at all times and must deal with the institution's specific needs and considerations. Alternative approaches to data collection and interpretation are available, but all should focus on cost, confidentiality, user satisfaction, and service…

Given the importance and visibility of athletics programs, campus administrators have an obligation to both individual athletes and the campus community to sponsor ongoing evaluation of athletic program performance on and off the field in relation to the institution's educational mission. (MSE)

An evaluation of a counseling center must examine its goals, activities, and impact and determine the desired balance among preventive, remedial, and developmental objectives. (MSE)

The contemporary context and some recent trends affecting college program reviews or evaluations, current options in purposes and practices, and impacts on programs and institutions are discussed. It is recommended that the process be viewed as a contribution to the general knowledge base for campus constituencies rather than as "right answers"…

Evaluation of the impact of prospective students' contacts with the institution is an objective of the admissions research agenda at Tufts University (Massachusetts). An annual survey gathers information on individuals who make inquiries but do not submit an application and on the parents of matriculating students. (MSE)