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Mission, Policies, and Procedures
(PDF) (114 KB)
Institutional Research and Assessment Coordination
Policy
In order to maximize the University’s research and assessment efforts, all University research and assessment*
projects that collect student, alumni, faculty, and/or staff feedback will be coordinated
through the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment. The purpose of this policy is
to optimize
- the quality of research conducted;
- the participation of our constituents in data collection efforts; and
- the use of resources by combining, when appropriate, the research needs of individual units and the institution.
This policy does not replace the need for Institutional Review Board approval to conduct certain research and assessment
projects.
* This does not include student ratings or course embedded assessments.
Procedure
To implement the Institutional Research and Assessment Coordination policy, the following
procedures have been developed.
- A faculty/staff member undertaking a project that involves student, alumni, faculty, or staff
feedback completes the online Institutional Research and Assessment Coordination Form.
- For assistance in completing the form, contact OIRA.
- Once a form has been submitted via the web, a confirmation notice of receipt will be sent.
- OIRA reviews the forms on a weekly basis and provides feedback to faculty/staff members. (See
the Assessment procedural section for cases in which
OIRA support is requested.)
- Projects moving forward will be added to the Syracuse University Data Collection Schedule and
Six-Year Assessment Plan as appropriate.
Accreditation
Policy
Upon request OIRA will assist in the development and review of accreditation self-studies.
This includes providing institutional data and supporting on-going efforts to assess learning outcomes.
Assessment
Policy
OIRA supports assessment undertaken by faculty and/or staff, within capacity, by providing
the following services:
- consultation to determine outcomes and assessment methods
- instrument development
- data collection, entry, and/or processing
- data analysis and interpretation
- reporting
These services are provided without cost (for exceptions, see
Sponsored Programs and
Sponsored Research policy statements).
Other expenditures associated with assessment, such as material costs
(letterhead, mailings, scan forms), incentives, processing of scan forms,
and room rentals, are covered by the requesting department/unit.
Procedure
To implement the Assessment policy, the following procedures have been developed.
- A faculty/staff member undertaking a project that involves student, alumni, faculty, or staff
feedback submits the online Institutional Research and Assessment Coordination Form.
- For assistance in completing the form, contact OIRA.
- Once a form has been submitted via the web, a confirmation notice of receipt will be sent.
- OIRA reviews the forms on a weekly basis and provides feedback to faculty/staff members.
- Projects moving forward will be added to the Syracuse University Data Collection Schedule and
Six-Year Assessment Plan as appropriate.
Internal Research
Policy
OIRA conducts research on topics of importance to the University, such as retention and
campus climate. Research topics are prioritized based on
- the significance of the study for advancing institutional knowledge,
- the potential usefulness of results for improvement, and
- the availability of necessary resources.
National Research Studies
Policy
OIRA encourages the University’s involvement in national research studies in which faculty,
staff, and/or students are asked to participate, such as the National Survey of Student
Engagement. (Instruments that gather institutional data for reporting and rankings, such as
U. S. News & World Report, are not national research studies. For more information, see the
section on Reporting.)
National research studies are most beneficial when
- the focus is aligned with the University’s vision,
- the data provide the University with information that will be used for quality improvement,
- the data are not already available,
- the other participating institutions constitute an appropriate comparison group,
- stakeholders have been consulted,
- the methodology is sound, and
- adequate resources are available to conduct the research.
OIRA must verify that these conditions are substantially met before the University commits to participation
in a national research study.
Procedure
To implement the National Research Studies policy, the following procedures have been developed.
- A faculty/staff member recommending University participation in a national research study
contacts the OIRA director.
- The requesting faculty/staff member or OIRA completes the National Research Study
Participation Request.
- OIRA verifies that the conditions outlined in the National Research Studies policy are
substantially met and makes a recommendation regarding the University’s participation.
- A study moving forward will be added to the Syracuse University Data Collection Schedule and
Six-Year Assessment Plan.
Reporting
Policy
To ensure consistency in reporting,
OIRA is the University’s official source of institutional data. OIRA coordinates the
collection and reporting of data for a variety of external and internal purposes (e.g., U.
S. News & World Report, New York State Education Department, and the Syracuse University
Fact Book). OIRA is prepared to assist other offices in
obtaining data necessary to complete additional reports for which they are responsible.
Policy
Sponsored programs (e.g., HEOP, SSS) requesting OIRA’s assessment support are required to
consult with OIRA prior to grant submission. OIRA will assist in the development of the assessment
plan and budget based on the project scope and the approved fee schedule. A final copy of the grant
proposal that includes the assessment budget should be provided to OIRA.
Policy
Many sponsored research proposals require assessment or evaluation plans. At the request of
the principal investigator, OIRA may provide support in the development and the
implementation of these plans. Consultation on the formation of an assessment plan based on
measurable outcomes should occur early in the grant proposal process. If OIRA will partner
on the implementation of the assessment plan, a budget will be created based on the approved
OIRA fee schedule. A final copy of the grant proposal that includes the assessment budget
should be provided to OIRA.
Principal investigators intending to collect data from students, faculty, and/or staff
should review the policy on Institutional Research and
Assessment Coordination.
Procedure
To implement the Sponsored Research policy, the following procedures have been developed.
- Assessment should be considered early in the grant proposal process as goals, objectives,
outcomes, and activities are being developed. An effective assessment or evaluation plan is based
on measurable outcomes; therefore, early consultation with OIRA is recommended to review readiness
to develop an assessment plan.
- The faculty/staff member provides OIRA with the RFP guidelines and the proposed goals,
objectives, outcomes, and activities. OIRA will consult with the faculty/staff member to develop
an assessment plan in a format consistent with the RFP guidelines.
- If OIRA is to partner on the implementation of the assessment plan, OIRA will develop this
portion of the budget based on the approved OIRA fee schedule. As a guideline, many funding
agencies recommend committing 10% of the project budget to assessment.
- The faculty/staff member provides OIRA with a final copy of the grant proposal, and the
assessment budget if applicable.
- The faculty/staff member contacts OIRA to report when a grant has been approved or denied, and
if applicable, to discuss OIRA’s participation in the assessment.
- Funded projects will be added to the Syracuse University Data Collection Schedule and Six-Year
Assessment Plan as appropriate.
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