I am quite used to getting blank looks when I mention institutional research to people outside of tertiary education; however, I was somewhat taken aback that long-serving professional staff didn’t know about the important and core work we do to support our institutions. I thought a refresher on what institutional research entails, its significance in higher education, and the key functions it serves, might be helpful to cover in this blog post.
In the complex landscape of higher education, institutions face numerous challenges, ranging from enrolment management to strategic planning. To navigate these challenges effectively universities rely on data-driven decision-making processes. This is where institutional research plays a vital role.
Defining Institutional Research
Institutional research can be defined as a systematic and evidence-based approach to collecting, analysing, and interpreting data to inform decision-making within higher education institutions. It involves gathering data from various sources, organizing it into meaningful formats, and utilising analytical techniques to derive insights and support informed decision-making processes.