Association for Institutional Research
Enhancing Knowledge. Expanding Networks.
 Overview of the Professional File The Professional File publishes articles that synthesize issues, introduce new processes and models, and share applied, practical knowledge with institutional research professionals. Manuscripts are blind reviewed and are evaluated primarily on the extent to which they enhance practice in the field of institutional research, in contrast to focusing singly on the results of research or on theory development Four issues are published to the web every year. Each issue contains a single article of 12 to 20 pages. Over 3,000 AIR members are sent a notice as each Professional File is published so it receives high visibility among the institutional research community. It is also available to other professionals. Approximately one out of three manuscripts are selected for publication. Most Recent: Perceptions of Graduate Student Learning via a Program Exit Survey (Germaine, R.; Kornuta, H., 16 pp; No. 112). Summer 2009. Using the IPEDS Peer Analysis System in Peer Group Selection (Xu, J.; 16 pp; No. 110). Winter 2008. Improving the Reporting of Student Satisfaction Surveys Through Factor Analysis (Goho, J., Blackman, A.; 16pp; No. 111). Winter/Spring 2009. How to Subscribe to the Professional File The Professional File is available as a free publication to all AIR members. New issues are mailed to members approximately four times per year. There is also free on-line access to past issues of the Professional File and anyone can search for articles on particular topics (see below). Subscriptions to the Professional File for non-members are not available. How to Obtain Back Issues of the Professional File Back issues of the Professional File are available on-line for free as a .PDF. You may obtain hard copies of selected Professional File articles for a cost of $3.00 each by contacting the AIR Office: The AIR Professional File was first published by the Association for Institutional Research in the fall of 1978. Since that time, there have been 95 issues published. The Association makes past Professional File issues available online as a .PDF. Please click PF Database to search and obtain past Professional File issues of interest. AIR Professional File Editorial Board Dr. Gerald W. McLaughlin, Editor, DePaul University Instructions for Authors The AIR Professional File welcomes manuscript submissions on all topics relating to the practice of institutional research. Authors interested in having their manuscripts considered for the Professional File are encouraged to send four (4) copies of each manuscript to the editor, Dr. Gerald McLaughlin. Manuscripts are accepted at any time of the year as long as they are not under consideration at another journal or similar publication. Please follow the style guidelines of the Publications Manual of the American Psychological Association, 4th Edition. Send manuscripts and/or inquiries regarding the AIR Professional File to: Dr. Gerald W. McLaughlin Potential Topics for Interested Authors The Professional File Editorial Board has identified the following topics as being particularly relevant to institutional researchers today. We invite authors to submit manuscripts to the Professional File that focus on one or more of these topics. Please note that all manuscripts submitted to the Professional File are reviewed and evaluated for possible publication by the Professional File Editorial Board. If you have any questions regarding this request, contact Dr. Gerald McLaughlin, Editor at gmclaugh@depaul.edu.
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