A prime role of institutional research is to contextualize institutional or survey data in a clear, accurate, concise, and compelling fashion. The purpose of this paper is to delineate the strategy used by a comprehensive Canadian community college to improve the analysis and reporting of student satisfaction surveys. Although data-rich with many…

A perennial problem for survey research is achieving adequate response rates. One method for improving rates is to offer multiple modes for response. An associated issue is the effect of differing modes. This research examined both matters using a survey of community college graduates. Fielding consisted of two phases. Phase One offered three…

This paper describes the results of research evaluating the use of mixed-mode surveys in institutional research. Surveys were administered to 1999-2000 graduates at Red River Community College in 2 phases. Phase 1 offered three modes of response: mail, Web-based, and touch-tone data entry (TDE). Phase 2 (administered to non-respondents of Phase 1)…

Describes a successful strategic planning process at a large community college, which linked the analytic inputs of research with the authority and intuition of leaders. Reports key factors attributed to the process' success, including a collegial and organized structure, detailed project management plans, and confidence in the environmental scan.…

Globalization, new technology, and the knowledge economy are transforming the role of community colleges in learning. In an increasingly competitive and global education market community colleges in Canada and the USA are responding by changing their missions, culture, curricula, program delivery models, and organizational structures. This…

The economic benefits of postsecondary education are well established. However, there still seem to be differences in employment outcomes by gender or equity status. This exploratory research examined employment differences at the intersection of gender and equity status. Data were derived from a graduate survey and institutional records of a…

This study examines whether equity graduates (Aboriginal people, visible minorities, and persons with disabilities) of Canadian community colleges achieve employment outcomes that are equivalent with non-equity graduates. There appear to be differences in employment rates and earnings of Aboriginal compared to non-Aboriginal people, of men…

This paper analyzes planning at Red River College in Manitoba. The paper suggests that the decision-making process be effectively linked with analytics. The fundamental role of institutional research and planning in postsecondary education is to provide the analytic and planning inputs that can facilitate decision-making. It is necessary to…