Data integrity.

Trusting data requires data integrity, ensuring the accuracy, completeness, and consistency of data. We strive to steward reliable data sets by validating data and coordinating with data overseers. In this section, you will find our approach to establishing trustworthy data.

As an authoritative source of institutional data, we take our role seriously and perform it diligently.

Accuracy

  • We review institutional data sets regularly and validate new data sets thoroughly.
  • We reach out to data overseers when inaccuracies are observed to confirm data fields are collected, updated, and accurately maintained.
  • We coordinate with data overseers to verify responses to external surveys and questionnaires.

Completeness

  • We maintain files to track and observe trends over time.
  • We cross-check data sets against multiple data sources whenever possible.
  • We take into consideration any additional data fields necessary to provide relevant context.

Consistency

  • We develop standardized queries for data extracts needed on a continual or regular basis.
  • We include tables in the fact book appendices and publicly on the website to provide a consistent reference and comparison of reported data.
  • We serve as primary contact with respect to reporting for state and federal agencies (such as IPEDS) and several professional organizations.

Offices such as Institutional Research are in a unique position of being both “in the weeds” and having a “10,000-foot view.” The high-level perspective means we are familiar with available data sources, such as administered surveys asking about a sense of belonging. The detailed perspective means we are familiar with our data and reporting nuances, such as allowable exclusions.

Often what are perceived to be data discrepancies are really a matter of definition. As a result, we strive to include and clarify data definitions as much as possible. One example is how we report our calendar system. Lawrence University's academic year consists of three primary instructional terms (Fall, Winter, and Spring) of approximately 10 weeks each. Consistent with institutional practice and federal reporting, Lawrence reports a Trimester calendar system on IPEDS. For Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and Common Data Set (CDS) reporting, Lawrence's term length aligns more closely with those organizations' definitions of a Quarter calendar system; therefore, we report Lawrence as Quarter for HLC and CDS purposes and Trimester for IPEDS purposes.