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From the President

 

I was recently at a meeting with kaimahi (staff) from a number of universities in New Zealand, and after my pepeha (introduction), I was asked a question:

‘So, what is institutional research; I haven’t heard of it.’

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.

Significance of Institutional Research
1. Evidence-based Decision Making: Institutional research provides institutions with the necessary data and analysis to make informed decisions. It helps leaders understand trends, identify challenges, and explore opportunities. By relying on solid evidence, institutions can minimise risks and align their strategies with their goals.
2. Planning and Policy Development: Institutional research supports the development of strategic plans, policies, and initiatives. It assists in identifying areas where improvement is needed, evaluating the effectiveness of existing programs, and assessing the impact of policy changes. This data-driven approach promotes accountability and efficiency.
3. Accreditation and Compliance: Higher education institutions must meet accreditation standards and comply with various regulations. Institutional research aids in data collection and analysis for accreditation purposes. It ensures that institutions meet the requirements set by accrediting bodies and governmental agencies.
4. Resource Allocation: Efficient resource allocation is crucial for institutions to achieve their objectives. Institutional research helps institutions assess their current resource distribution and identify areas where resources should be allocated or reallocated. This includes financial resources, faculty workload, facilities, and student services.

Key Functions of Institutional Research
1. Data Collection and Management: Institutional research involves the collection of data from various sources, such as student records, faculty information, surveys, and external databases. This data is carefully managed, ensuring its accuracy, integrity, and confidentiality.
2. Data Analysis and Reporting: Institutional researchers employ statistical analysis and data visualization techniques to make sense of the collected data. They identify patterns, trends, and correlations that inform decision-making. The results are then presented in clear and concise reports that are accessible to stakeholders.
3. Institutional Effectiveness: Institutional research assesses the effectiveness of programs, initiatives, and policies. It measures outcomes and tracks progress toward institutional goals. This evaluation helps institutions identify areas for improvement and make data-informed decisions to enhance performance and student success.
4. Predictive Analytics: By analysing historical data, institutional research professionals can develop predictive models to forecast enrolment trends, student retention rates, and other key indicators. These models aid institutions in proactive planning and resource allocation.

Conclusion

Institutional research serves as a backbone for data-driven decision making in higher education. Through data collection, analysis, and reporting, it helps institutions understand their performance, identify areas for improvement, and plan for the future. By leveraging evidence-based insights, colleges and universities can adapt to changing educational landscapes, enhance student success, and achieve their strategic goals.

If you have managed to read this far you have just been reading an article about institutional research completely written by Chat Openai. Except for the first paragraph, and from this point on, no human thought was included in the construction of this blog (except for a light edit). Like it or not, the floodgates have opened with technology that is now able to produce human-like—and frequently accurate—responses to a vast range of questions. After being launched, ChatGPT became the fastest-growing app of all time, reaching 100 million users in only two months. The fact that it can also generate essays, poetry, and articles (such as the text above) adds to both its appeal and controversy in education. I know my own institution’s teachers are seeing text generated from AI appearing in learner assignments, and disturbingly AI has been used by academic and teaching staff to develop reflective narratives for quality assurance self-review reports on the effectiveness of teaching and learning.

As institutional researchers, we have a key role as guardians of our institutional narratives to be at the forefront of environmental and technological developments and challenges. AI is moving rapidly, and we could try to resist; however, as an institutional researcher, I see as early adopters that we are at the vanguard of change. So, let’s learn, adapt, and grow our practice by embracing new ways of working.

Photo of Stuart Terry wearing a black leather jacket

Stuart Terry

President, AAIR

Note: Pepeha is a way of introducing yourself in Māori. It tells people who you are by sharing your connections with the people and places that are important to you.

Photo of the robot by Andrea De Santis on Unsplash

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  • About
    • Rules
    • Mission, Vision, Values and Strategy
    • Objectives
    • Code of Ethics
    • Organisational Structure
    • Executive Committee
      • Position Descriptions
      • Meeting Schedule
    • Annual Statements
    • Timeline
  • Membership
    • Join
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    • Members
    • Life Members
    • Honorary Members
    • Fellowships
  • Events
    • Past AAIR Events
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  • SIGs
    • Academic Research Institutional Analytics
    • Business Intelligence & Analytics
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  • Experts
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    • What is Institutional Research?
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    • JIR
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  • Blog
    • From the President
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