Institutional Research Board

Surveys and Reports

Alumni Survey Report
2004
The Alumni Survey annually collects data from graduates one and five years out from their graduation, inquiring about overall academic, work program, and social experiences, as well as services provided by Blackburn College. The findings of this survey were summarized and disseminated as part of Assessment News.
Faculty Staff Quality of Life Survey
2004
The Faculty/Staff Quality of Life Survey is administered every two and one half years prior to Planning Day and inquires about salary and workload, campus climate, and attitudes toward various committees and offices on campus. The responses are separated into two categories for analysis and reporting: employees of less than five years and employees with more than five year’s experience. The findings of the analysis were summarized and disseminated as part of Assessment News.
Employer Survey
2004
Beginning with the Class of 2004, the Employer survey is distributed annually to employers of alumni who agree to participate. The survey instrument inquires about work performance and what additional skills and qualities are needed of Blackburn graduates. The survey attempts to assess eleven areas, including: communication skills, critical thinking, problem solving, technological competence, reliability, ability to work with others, ability to take initiative, ability to accept criticism, potential for leadership, and time management. The findings are analyzed and utilized to help the college identify the strengths and weaknesses of academic and co-curricular programs in preparing graduates for the workplace. The Executive Summary was disseminated as part of Assessment News.
Technology User Group Survey
2004
Developed in late Spring 2004, the survey instrument was designed to determine which computer applications are used, the features of those applications, and the knowledge base of full-time faculty and staff regarding respective computer applications. The analysis attempted to determine what the data reveal about information technology (IT) awareness amongst faculty and staff on the Blackburn College campus. The findings will enable TUG to target assistance in areas of greatest need.
Internal Environmental Scan Data Compilation
2004
The Internal Environmental Scan compiles the data that aids faculty and staff in answering the question “What is happening in Blackburn College’s environment that will affect its future?” The report presents a model that outlines a process of developing and maintaining a strategic fit between the college and its changing environment. By presenting glimpses of the various data sources available at the college (i.e. State of the Campus Survey, National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), the Alumni Survey, and the Faculty and Staff Quality of Life Survey), the internal scan is a tool for the Budget and Planning Committee and other sub-committees to utilize when engaged in dialogue about what constitutes Blackburn College’s peers, aspirants, and competitors.
Blackburn College Department of Education Data Analysis Reports
2004
A qualitative analysis of Mid-Term/Final Student Teaching Assessment (Fall 2003/Spring 2004) and Student Teaching Lesson Observations (Fall 2003) was undertaken to determine the extent to which Blackburn College Department of Education Student Teaching Standards align with Illinois Professional Teaching Standards. The purpose of the analysis is to determine what the data reveal about the Department of Education’s student teachers’ performance. Furthermore, the Department of Education has an expressed interest in knowing how well its Teacher Education Program Standard domains align with Illinois Professional Teaching Standards. The Blackburn College Office of Institutional Research completed the report in late summer of 2004.

2005
In June of 2005, the Blackburn College Office of Institutional Research completed a quantitative analysis of Mid-term/Final Student Teaching Assessments and Student Teaching Lesson Observations (Fall, 2004) data. The initial purpose of the study was to answer the following two questions: 1) How well do student teachers perform, as captured by the Department of Education’s evaluation instruments and 2) do raters indicate that they believe students are meeting the standards of each domain?
Lumina Project Qualitative Data Analysis Report
During the 2003-2004 academic year, two student researchers conducted a qualitative data analysis of student survey transcripts. With training and support from the Director of Institutional Research, the two students utilized a technique known as open coding to analyze the interviews. The purpose of the open coding technique was to pull out themes from the data. Results of the open coding technique are available upon request at the Office of Institutional Research.
National Survey of Student Engagement Report
The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) annually collects data about student participation in programs and activities. The data are analyzed by the National Survey of Student Engagement at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, and the findings are returned to Blackburn College. The report summarizes the responses of Blackburn students, presents frequencies, suggests ideas about how this information can inform the college, and highlights additional services that are available through the National Survey of Student Engagement to aid in further developing institutional policies and programs.
IPEDS Data Feedback Report: 2004
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) is a system of surveys designed to collect data from institutions and educational organizations. The National Postsecondary Education Cooperative (NPEC) sent Blackburn College a report of the data in the fall of 2004. The report contained information from Blackburn and a group of comparison institutions selected by NPEC based on the following characteristics: private, not-for-profit, 4 year, degree-granting, Carnegie Classification of Baccalaureate Colleges – Liberal Arts, in the central division of the country. The goal of the report is to provide Blackburn with context for examining the data submitted. Click here to see the Report.
IBHE Reports
2004
This report describes how the college is addressing each of the goals of the Illinois Commitment. Specifically, the report details the college's commitment to workforce preparation and attempts to more effectively measure its success through an employer survey begun in spring 2005; a continuing commitment to improving the preparation of teachers; the college's efforts to control costs and maintain or increase financial aid to students of limited means; the college's planning for an increased Hispanic student population and improved freshman retention efforts that will likely increase retention of high risk students; the college's improving assessment program.
State of the Campus/NSSE/Alumni Survey Comparison
The State of the Campus/NSSE/Alumni Survey Comparison identifies common questions presented by State of the Campus, NSSE, and Alumni Surveys. The instrument classifies questions in four categories: questions related to demographic information, questions related to academics, questions related to work, and questions related to social life. The first draft of the instrument was completed in the summer of 2005 by the Blackburn College Office and Institutional Research and will be utilized by college personnel wishing to triangulate various sources of available data.
The Lumina Project Report (January 2006)
In 2002, the Work Colleges Consortium (of which Blackburn is a charter member) was awarded a three year grant from the Lumina Foundation for Education in order to explore the effects of a work-college education. This document reports the findings of the research teams based at the six Consortium member schools.
Alumni Survey Report (October 2005)
The Alumni Survey annually collects data from graduates one and five years out from their graduation, inquiring about overall academic, work program, and social experiences, as well as services provided by Blackburn College. The findings of this survey of students from the graduating classes of 2000 and 2004 were summarized and disseminated as part of Assessment News.
Blackburn College Department of Education Data Analysis Report (February 2006)
A qualitative and quantitative analysis of Mid-Term and Final Student Teaching Assessments (Fall 2005) and Student Teaching Lesson Observations (Fall 2005) was undertaken to determine the extent to which the Blackburn College Department of Education students were meeting the Illinois Professional Teaching Standards. Similar to “f” above.
The Larger Landscape (September 2005)
A data compilation of issues impacting higher education both externally (“out there”) and internally (Blackburn). Includes information on stakeholders, forces of change and pressures on higher education, federal and state policy goals, accountability, accreditation, the Illinois Board of Higher Education, the Higher Learning Commission, criteria for accreditation and an overview of the Blackburn College Strategic Plan.

If you would like more information on any of these surveys or reports, please contact the Office of Institutional Research at Blackburn College: extension 4289 or Email

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