About IRAP

The purpose of the Institutional Research, Assessment and Planning office at California State University-Fresno is to provide leadership in developing a comprehensive, integrated program of planning, assessment and institutional research that assists the University in achieving its mission and goals.

We encourage and support:

evidence-based planning and decision-making
improvements in student learning, student services, and administrative processes
collaboration and coordination in order to make the best use of limited resources and achieve maximum effectiveness
communicating institutional and educational effectiveness efforts to internal and external audiences

To fulfill this purpose we:

Provide Data about the University

Extract and report data for compliance and comparative purposes
to agencies and organizations such as the Department of Education, the CSU Chancellor’s Office, National Science Foundation, Barron’s and U.S. News and World Report.

Respond to data requests from the campus community regarding counts of students, employees, degrees, classes, applicants, retention and graduation and many other characteristics of our University and its environment. Requesters usually need this data for their own reporting, accreditation, program review, grants, enrollment management, budgeting, planning, or policy development or revision.

In 2004 and 2005, we filled 364 requests for data from Academic Affairs, Student Affairs and Administration and 103 external requests, 43 of which were from the Chancellor’s Office. In academic year 2007-08 alone, we completed 314 requests.

Conduct Analyses, Research, Assessment and Evaluation

Data becomes more useful when we turn it into information that can be applied to planning and decision-making. Although external reporting and filling internal data requests will always be IRAP functions, we are reshaping the office to emphasize analysis, research, assessment, evaluation and planning across the campus. Selected projects will be multi-faceted and in-depth in order to speak to campus issues and goals. We assist faculty conducting program assessments with their data collection and analysis.

IRAP Briefs

Reports, Surveys and Studies

Consulting

We consult with faculty, staff and managers on formulating goals and objectives, data analysis, research and assessment methods, instrument design, planning and process design, and establishing benchmarks and performance indicators, and learning outcomes.

Communication and Education

We produce an annual Data Book, a Quick Facts reference brochure, this website, and periodic reports and oral presentations of our research findings and their use. We encourage and support faculty in publishing and presenting their work in assessment. In addition, the IRAP staff will communicate our own and the University’s effectiveness efforts via external publications and conferences as appropriate and feasible.

IRAP, in conjunction with the faculty and Center for Enhancement of Teaching and Learning, provides workshops and presentations on assessment and Program Review.

Additional Services

IRAP’s role and responsibilities will evolve over time as needs arise within the campus community. In Fall 2005, we conducted two Assessment Coordinator meetings with approximately 60 faculty members. Their feedback indicated that assistance is needed in designing student learning outcomes assessment instruments including surveys of alumni and performance assessments other than tests, scanning and analyzing data, and updating the SOAP. If you need this or a related type of assistance, contact Tina Leimer, IRAP Director at ext. 8582.

The Strategic Priorities and Plan outlines the vision and goals of IRAP from Academic year 2005-2006 to 2007-2008.

In Fall 2005 and 2008, an online evaluation form was sent to members of the campus community who had requested data from IRAP within the previous two years. They were asked to rate the products and service they received. Click here to view the results of the 2005 and 2008 surveys.

Association for Institutional Research (AIR) Code of Ethics