INSTITUTIONAL RESEARCH - KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND PERCEPTIONS OF EFFECTIVENESS

Terenzini (1993) approached the issue of institutional research effect iveness by articulating three tiers of organizational intelligence nec essary for effective institutional researchers. Responses (n = 601) fr om a nationwide survey of AIR members provided for an empirical invest igation based on this concept. The study examined the existence and ac quisition of examples of institutional research knowledge and skills a nd how they relate to perceptions of effectiveness. Participants indic ated that they were effective in their functions and reported that the y possessed examples of the technical, issues, and (to a lesser extent ) contextual knowledge and skills articulated by Terenzini. Multiple r egression revealed the relationships between background characteristic s, knowledge and skills in institutional research, and perceptions of effectiveness to be minimal, however. The authors conclude that an ins titutional researcher's effectiveness can perhaps only be adequately e valuated relative to institutional culture and expectations and leader s' personalities and orientation toward decision making.