TAIR once again hosted a series of summer workshops on August 9, 2009 at McLennan Community College in Waco, Texas. Paul
Illich, our TAIR Executive Committee Member-at-Large for Professional Development, worked with other executive committee
members to arrange the following four workshops:
Using SPSS to Analyze and Report IR Data (Teresa Isbell and Cathy Hagan)
Data Warehousing (Dennis Ignatenko)
Market Research (Edward Hummingbird)
Making a Difference with IR Data (Paul Illich)
Over 30 individuals attended the all day event and offered very positive feedback on the presentations and the arrangements.
The overall theme of the day was related to the application of IR data for both short-term and long-term decision making. If you
were unable to attend the summer workshops you will get another chance this spring at the 2010 TAIR Conference in Waco,
Texas. The following six pre-conference workshops will be offered:
W1-New Innovations in IR (March 1, 2010) 9 a.m. - Noon
In this workshop three to four seasoned IR professionals will share the latest high impact tools/methodologies they utilize in their
offices. The innovations will include visualization reporting software, data warehousing technologies, and online survey
technologies. The presentations will focus on how the various innovations can increase the impact IR professionals have on their
institutions. The workshop should be useful for both new and experienced IR professionals.
W2-Using SPSS for IR Research (March 1, 2010) 9 a.m. - Noon
This 3-hour hands-on workshop will focus on several practical applications of SPSS. The use of Custom Tables to analyze survey
data will be one of several applications discussed. Participants will also have an opportunity to use the SPSS programming
language, Syntax, to run a variety of SPSS procedures. The workshop is designed for both new and experienced IR professionals
that want to learn how SPSS can be used to automate processes and improve efficiency in a range of IR projects.
W3-Using Pivot Tables to Conduct IR Research (March 1, 2010) 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
This workshop is a stimulating hands-on training session on using Excel Pivot Tables in the preparation of data for descriptive
statistical analysis in IR. We will utilize simulated student enrollment data to create the Enrollment (B1) and Ethnicity (B2)
elements for the Common Data Set. If time permits, we will use a simulated faculty roster to create Faculty Information (I1).
W4-Meta-Analysis of Multiple Survey Instruments (March 1, 2010) 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
In this workshop participants will learn how to conduct a meta-analysis on survey data. The presenter will show how survey
results can be combined to improve interpretation and application of key findings. The workshop is designed for both new and
experienced IR professionals. The session will cover a range of statistical techniques (e.g., ANOVA, regression) used to identify key
aggregate factors. If time permits, additional data mining techniques will be discussed.
W5-Newcomers to Institutional Research and Planning (March 2, 2010) 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
The TAIR Newcomer's Workshop will focus on maintaining an effective institutional research office. Topics include the various
roles and key responsibilities of institutional research, necessary skills needed for a researcher, primary dogmas of assessment
(surveys and focus groups), research resources, academic accreditation, financial analysis and presentation of data. Included in
the workshop will be guest panelists representing key areas of institutional research (THECB, public four-year and two-year,
private four-year institutions) who will be presenting the "hot topics" for their areas of expertise.