The Role of Institutional Research inDelta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

The Role of Institutional Research inDelta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

2014 Regional Conference2014 Regional Conference

2013 - 2015 Institutional Research Task Force Members

Thelma James Day, Ed.D. Natalie Tindall, Ph.D.Co-Chair Co-Chair

• Crystal Adams, Ed.D.

• Sarah Chapman, Ph.D.

• Gwendolyn Combs, Ph.D.

• Lauren Davis

• Morgan Franklin

• Jerlena Griffin-Desta

• Mary Howard-Hamilton, Ed.D.

• Alison Harmon, Ed.D.

• Corliss Heath

• Alyxis Johnson

• Treva Lee, Ph.D.

• Floraline Stevens, Ph.D.

• Joyce D. Williams

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Workshop Goals

• Provide a relevant definition of institutional research

• Define the role of institutional research in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

• Describe the importance of institutional research process

• Identify the goals of the Institutional Research Task Force

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How Do You Benefit from This Workshop?

• What Would You Like to Learn in This Session?

• What Would You Like to Leave This Session With?

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What is Institutional Research?

• Research conducted within an institution to provide information which supports

institutional planning

program evaluation and assessment

policy formation

decision making

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Questions for Institutional Research

• Institutional research seeks answers to specific questions. For example, in higher education, questions may include:

1.How many sections of a specific course should be offered? 2.By what amount should tuition rates be increased to produce a target amount of tuition income?3.Is attrition a problem at our institution? 4.Are our faculty salaries competitive with those paid by peer institutions? 5.Are the outcomes of our degree programs what the stated purposes of the programs suggest they should be?

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Outcomes of Institutional Research

• To improve

• To inform

• To prove

• To support

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Why Do We Need This?

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Can You Tell Me...

• How many hours members of the sorority have worked on community service?

• How many members of Delta Sigma Theta own a home?

• What is the percentage of Sorors who are legacies? Are in the U. S. Armed Forces?

• In how many chapters are the national programs of Delta Sigma Theta being implemented?

• What is the average GPA of collegiate Sorors in

this region?

• What is the rate of retention for your chapter?9

Does Our Mission Fit With…

• Who we are, what we are, what we do, how big is our impact, and where we are making our impact?

• Does the Five Point Programmatic Thrust align with the needs and issues of the 21st century?

• This is why Institutional Research in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. matters.

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Goal of theNational Institutional Research Task

Force

As the vehicle to collecting data, the National Institutional Research Task Force’s goal is to:

• Collect and provide factual data to be used by the leadership for:

Institutional planning

Program evaluation and assessment

Policy formation and decision making

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What kinds of Institutional Research questions does Delta Sigma Theta

Sorority, Inc.need to ask?

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Data Gathering

The National Institutional Research Task Force is working collaboratively with the:

National Executive Committee

Standing and Ad Hoc Committees

Membership to obtain data about the Sorority and its initiatives.

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2013 - 2015 Deliverables

• Enhance leadership and policy development

• Program effectiveness through research

• Conduct studies

• Provide support

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Where Does Research Fit in With Your Chapter?

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Applying the Definition to Your Chapter

Research conducted within a chapter to:•Provide locally relevant and specific information, which supports:

Chapter planningProgram evaluation and assessmentPolicy formationChapter decision making

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Evaluation and Assessment

It is vital to conduct an evaluation and assessment of your chapter’s programs:

to illustrate the impact of the chapter’s programs and activities

to demonstrate the difference the chapter is making in the community

to improve the efficiency of delivery mechanisms

to verify that you’re doing what you think you are doing

to produce data that can be used to promote services and activities

Available Resource: National Council of Nonprofits: Evaluation of Outcomes 17

disappeared,

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would it be missed?

If your chapter

Types of Program Evaluation

• Goals-based evaluations

• Process-based evaluations

• Outcomes-based evaluations

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Levels of Evaluation

• Level 1: Reactions and Feelings

• Level 2: Learning

• Level 3: Changes in Skills/Behavior

• Level 4: Improved Performance/Results

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How to Collect Data

Methods:Document Review

Interviews Focus Groups

Observations

Surveys

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Analysis and Interpretation

• Quantitative

• Qualitative

• Mixed Methods

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Quantitative Analysis

• Numerically measure and characterize outcomes by statistical methods:AverageFrequency/percentage

• Software is available for entry into a computerSurvey MonkeyMicrosoft ExcelYahoo/Google Groups

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Quantitative Example:

Sample questions:

1. What is your highest level of education completed?____Grade School ____High School____Some college ____College Graduate

2. How many hours were spent volunteeringat a program?

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Qualitative Data Analysis

• Coding

• Categorizing

• Summary

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Qualitative Data Analysis

Example - Delta Census Survey

•Open ended question(s)

•Imagine you were to give advice to the national leadership. Please write 1 or 2 sentences about what she should do to prepare the Sorority for the next 100 years.

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Questions or Concerns?

You can email the Taskforce at dstinstitutionalresearch@gmail.com

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Conclusion

• Significance of Institutional Research

• Data-driven results

• Decision-making based on factual data

• Substantive initiatives and narratives

• Accountability for programming and membership needs

• Internal and external efficacy

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