Office of Institutional Research and Decision Support

Mission

The Office of Institutional Research & Decision Support (OIR) collects, analyzes, interprets and disseminates trustworthy and official University data for critical data-informed decision-making. Guided by equitable best practices in research and analytics, the office collaborates with campus stakeholders to support and uphold the strategic goals of the University, the state, and the region.

Vision

The Office of Institutional Research & Decision Support provides campus leadership using innovative best practices in research methodology, data collection, analysis, and data literacy. Leveraging the use of technology and analytics, and leading with intentional collaboration, OIR inspires the campus with a deeper understanding of equity-minded analysis and inquiry to support data-informed decision-making. 

Values

The Office of Institutional Research has four core values that guide our work:

• Integrity: OIR values data and methodological integrity in all research-related activities through disseminating reliable, accurate, and impartial data in a timely manner. We demonstrate trustworthiness through safeguarding sensitive data and protecting confidentiality.
• Collaboration: The effectiveness and impact of data relies on our interactions with and the engagement of members of the campus community. OIR strives to edify data literacy efforts on campus to ensure accurate, effective, and actionable equity-minded interpretation and analyses of data. OIR is a proactive partner in supporting institutional progress and continuous improvement.
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging: We are committed to BSU’s goal of advancing the diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging of our campus constituencies. OIR can make a positive impact by supporting University efforts and decision-making through best practices in equity-minded qualitative and quantitative research and analytics (e.g. data disaggregation, intersectional analyses). This includes the inclusion of student voice in data collection, analysis, and data sharing opportunities. OIR is committed to collaborating with campus stakeholders to enhance efforts to supporting the success of all students.
• Personal and Professional Growth: OIR commits to intentional, evaluative and reflective practices, ensuring that personal and systemic biases are not reflected in the data or analyses used. Resources are dedicated to opportunities for personal and professional development that are critical to our success as Institutional Research professionals and as members of the BSU community.

Our Services

The OIR team provides experience and expertise in equity-minded research and evaluation strategy, methodology, data collection, analysis and data literacy support for members of the BSU community. This includes:

• Coordinating and reviewing the collection and reporting of federal, state, and accreditation data across the campus.
• Creating and supporting opportunities to share data with all stakeholders across the BSU campus.
• Coordinating the scheduling, collection, and analysis of all campus-wide surveys.
• Creating supporting guidance, documentation, and tools to enhance data literacy and understanding.
• Collaborating with departments as thought partners to evaluate initiatives, review patterns of student and institutional success, identify any existing gaps, and support equity-minded actions.
• Participating in committees and task forces as needed to share data in real-time in support of both formative, operational decisions and long-term strategy.
• Responding to and collaborating with members of the campus community with specific research questions and inquiries.
• Continuously monitoring, learning from, and improving our own processes and data integration to better capture and understand student and institutional success at BSU.

If OIR can be of help to you or your office in strategizing, planning, researching, or evaluating your work, please do not hesitate to reach out to oir@bridgew.edu or request specific data on our Data Request Form.