This paper intends to construct a survey data quality strategy for institutional researchers in higher education in light of total survey error theory. It starts with describing the characteristics of institutional research and identifying the gaps in literature regarding survey data quality issues in institutional research. Then it is followed by introducing the quality perspective of a survey process and the major components of total survey error. A proposed strategy for inspecting survey data quality is presented on the basis of five types of survey error and the characteristics of institutional research survey projects. The strategy consists of "quality measures" for each type of survey error, and "quality control" and "quality assurance" procedures for each of the quality measures. The major components in the survey data quality strategy are summarized in Table 2 in this paper, with elaborations in related sections. The paper ends with a discussion about the implications of the strategy for institutional researchers. A checklist for inspecting survey data quality is attached as an appendix. (Contains 3 tables and 1 figure.)