Student Affairs and University Planning

Consultation Provided by Institutional Research

The Office of Institutional Research (OIR) offers a variety of services to assist a unit in its program review. Institutional Research's role is to provide consultation as needed, not to conduct a program review. Below are the types of consultation provided.

Program Review Conceptualization

There are many different ways to collect evaluative information. Institutional Research can be contacted anytime during the program review process, and it can be especially helpful in identifying methods to collect the information desired by the department. 

Survey Consultation

Often in administrative units a survey can be a helpful method to gain knowledge about the unit. If a unit believes it will need to conduct a survey of its constituents, a staff member should be designated to take a course offered by the Center for Instructional Technology (CIT) in the use of WebSurveyor. Additional classes will be offered in how to develop and analyze surveys.

Consultations in Focus Groups and Data Analysis

Surveys are only one method for gaining evaluation information. OIR staff can provide consultation on a variety of techniques, including focus groups and telephone surveys. Frequently the unit already collects data that can be used for program evaluation. OIR staff can help the unit identify these data and provide analysis consultation. OIR offers courses in SPSS through CIT so that units can improve their analysis functions.