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IR Professionals as Change Agents
When I began working in the field of institutional research (IR) in 2010, my daily tasks consisted of completing some externally mandated reports and a few ad hoc internal requests. Today, there are daily data requests, ...Read Moreabout: IR Professionals as Change Agents -
In Memoriam: Alexander Astin
The AIR community mourns the loss of Alexander Astin, who was a pioneer of student experience research and theories and professor emeritus at the UCLA School of Education & Information Studies. He passed away May 18 ...Read Moreabout: In Memoriam: Alexander Astin -
Why Good Intentions Aren’t Enough to Use Data Ethically
Significant ethical scandals are thankfully rare in institutional research and effectiveness (IR/IE). Every few years brings a case of an institution that has deliberately falsified data, usually data for external survey...Read Moreabout: Why Good Intentions Aren’t Enough to Use Data Ethically -
The Importance of Class Size: An Interview with Mark Umbricht
AIR talked to Mark Umbricht, Director of Data Analysis and Research at University of North Carolina System, to chat about how his 2018 AIR Forum session was referenced in Ron Lieber’s book, The Price You ...Read Moreabout: The Importance of Class Size: An Interview with Mark Umbricht -
Fast Forward: Considering the “Post-Pandemic” Future of Higher Ed (Video)
What will higher education look like in a year or five years? How is the pandemic upending ways institutions operate, students learn, faculty teach, and equitable outcomes are achieved? What role will data and analytics ...Read Moreabout: Fast Forward: Considering the “Post-Pandemic” Future of Higher Ed (Video) -
Considerations for Ethical Use of Data During a Pandemic
The collection, analysis, and reporting of data in ethical ways has always been foundational for institutional research. Ethical research requires not only a high degree of veracity and accuracy in our work, but it als...Read Moreabout: Considerations for Ethical Use of Data During a Pandemic -
Tips for Providing Accurate and Contextualized Information
We put a call out on the AIR Hub and Twitter for tips on making sure your work does not undermine the following of our Ethical Principles: "We provide accurate and contextualized information. We do not knowingly ...Read Moreabout: Tips for Providing Accurate and Contextualized Information -
IR’s Role in Addressing Racism and Supporting Social Justice
With the start of the new decade, we have seen numerous significant events, including a pandemic that has massively impacted our institutions and has the potential to fundamentally transform the nature of education and w...Read Moreabout: IR’s Role in Addressing Racism and Supporting Social Justice -
Building a Student-Level Data Network
eAIR caught up with Jamie Isaac, Center for Education Survey Design and Analysis, RTI International, and Mamie Voight, Interim President at Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP), to discuss the status and potenti...Read Moreabout: Building a Student-Level Data Network -
Postsecondary Data GPS Gives Data Users Direction
Have you ever wondered how to increase data use beyond compliance? Have you struggled to connect your institution’s data with student success initiatives? After hearing from institutions looking to improve dat...Read Moreabout: Postsecondary Data GPS Gives Data Users Direction -
Creating Institutional Diversity Dashboards: Where Do IR Offices Start?
Attention to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in higher education has intensified in recent months on many campuses. Increasingly, institutional leaders acknowledge that advancing social justice requires involving...Read Moreabout: Creating Institutional Diversity Dashboards: Where Do IR Offices Start? -
Introduction to Data Ethics
Every day, more than 2.5 exabytes (1 exabyte = 1 billion gigabytes) of data are produced. By the end of 2025, estimates suggest that number will rise to 436 exabytes. Data is truly everywhere, and its use is expanding an...Read Moreabout: Introduction to Data Ethics -
Using the Self-Determined Professional Development Cycle© for Intentional Professional Growth
Many of my career positions have required a set amount of professional development each year. However, I have generally received few guidelines on which topics or activities to prioritize. I grew tired of putting off req...Read Moreabout: Using the Self-Determined Professional Development Cycle© for Intentional Professional Growth -
AIR Forum Reflects Big Themes, Big Opportunities in Higher Education
The 2019 AIR Forum in Denver was the educational event of the year for higher education professionals who support data-informed decision making. With over 300 sessions, there was something for every interest, learning s...Read Moreabout: AIR Forum Reflects Big Themes, Big Opportunities in Higher Education -
Diversity Driving Excellence: A Cross-Departmental Collaboration
In 2018, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), a public Research I university with a medical center in Richmond, VA, adopted its current strategic plan, Quest 2025. The plan advanced institutional priorities in four ar...Read Moreabout: Diversity Driving Excellence: A Cross-Departmental Collaboration -
Test-Optional Admissions? IR Has Insights
In 2018, the University of Chicago announced that it would no longer be requiring students to submit test scores in order to be admitted (Kmetz, 2018). Their admissions process would now be test-optional,...Read Moreabout: Test-Optional Admissions? IR Has Insights -
Campus Leaders Reflect on IR, Ethics
A consistent theme in the reactions to the AIR Statement of Ethical Principles has been concern over the tension between what campus leaders want and what IR/IE practitioners see as the correct or ethical path. We ...Read Moreabout: Campus Leaders Reflect on IR, Ethics -
Raising the Data Literate and Qualitatively Responsible
Back in fall 2006, I had barely started my career in the IR/IE field, and our oldest child was starting her first year in Governor’s School in Virginia. One of her assigned books was How to Lie with Statistics by...Read Moreabout: Raising the Data Literate and Qualitatively Responsible -
Ethical Use of Data: Scenarios for Discussion
The full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our students, prospective students, faculty, and staff is not yet known. Institutional research professionals can help support a better understanding of this impact by first r...Read Moreabout: Ethical Use of Data: Scenarios for Discussion -
COVID-19 Brings New Reports, Ethical Challenges
When the AIR Board approved the AIR Statement of Ethical Principles in September 2019, COVID-19 wasn't a blip on anyone's radar. Those were halcyon days, when the most popular dashboards tracked student success and enr...Read Moreabout: COVID-19 Brings New Reports, Ethical Challenges
About eAIR
Since 1987, eAIR has been the trusted newsletter for institutional researchers and data-informed leaders. Each issue brings you the latest perspectives, news, and practical resources to help you succeed in a changing higher education landscape.