Assessment and Planning provides expertise in consultation, data analysis, strategic planning, and assessment.
We can assist with creating surveys, establishing frameworks, and determining how to best tell your story. Complete our request form to request support with data, software, or consulting and training needs.
Consulting Assistance
Assessment and Planning provides consulting services for Division of Student Life departments.
We are eager to help you meet your goals by using the methods outlined below:
- Statistical Consult
- Methodology consult
- Develop and facilitate data collection
- Develop strategic plans and assessment plans
- Manage and execute departmental plans
- Data analysis
- Dissemination of information
- Conferences
- Reports
- Publications
- Process auditors
- Fiscal auditors
- Innovative analysis on key institutional metrics
- Insight and recommendations based on data analysis and methodologically
Software Assistance
Many software tools are used for collaboration, data analysis and visualization. If you would like to know about potential opportunities, make sure to use our request form.
Watermark
Watermark planning and self-study
Qualtrics
Data collection, forms and electronic processes
JMP
Data management and analysis
Miro
Online collaboration with whiteboards, diagrams and more
AirTable
Online, multi-functional sheets with some database level usage
Microsoft Power Automate
Automating simple processes
Tableau
Data visualization tool for data exploration, reporting and storytelling
Data Assistance
Strategic Planning and Assessment serves as a central repository of Student Life Departments’ data. We breakdown information silos by collecting and managing divisional data. Through the collection, management and sharing of data, Assessment and Planning connects departments’ work to student outcomes on key institutional measured such as first year persistence, four or six year graduation rates and First Destination Employment after graduation from UA.
We assist with:
- Collecting data
- Analyzing data
- Evaluating data
- Researching
- Sharing resources
- Connecting to continuous improvement in service
- Processing
- Satisfaction for divisional and departmental support
Data Dive
These sessions should be scheduled for approximately 3.5 to 4 hours, during which Assessment and Planning will lead a discussion focused on the analysis of data and the master data set for the Division of Student Life, and how it applies to your department. This process is designed to challenge assumptions about the students you work with or the programs you administer. Through this dynamic, live examination of the data, your questions will drive the process, allowing us to go beyond the standard discussion about our students.
During the session, Assessment and Planning will take notes and document the discussion. We will use this data to report patterns and trends that emerge from your questions. You will be able to draw conclusions about your populations or programs and create a plan moving forward based on the data. Ultimately, this will serve as your annual reporting document for the year.
Qualitative Data
Qualitative Information is a great source of data and can be a more natural method of data collection in certain program circumstances. Strategic Planning and Assessment will assist in collection and analysis of your unstructured qualitative information.
- Focus Groups
- Focus groups are a great way to get information about complex topics. Groups between five to eight people work best. Keep conversations around 45 minutes. Only ask two to three conceptual questions. Be honest with participants about the purpose and scope of the conversation.
- Reflections
- Reflections on experiences can provide insight about the impact of an experience. Develop reflection processes and prompts that maximize responses in both quantity and quality.
- Interviews
- Interviews solicit deep information from participants. We advise using a semi-structured approach in most situations. Along with focus groups, this approach is best for developing hypotheses for further testing.
Quantitative Data
We love data. Our goal is to be the bridge between your quantitative abilities and where you want to go with your data.
- Big Data
- We have vast sets of data that can be leveraged to identify trends and patterns in the entire student population. No need to make inferences or assumptions.
- Data Analysis
- This is where Strategic Planning and Assessment shines. We always look for methodologically rigorous approaches that provide us with insight. We strive to be innovative and creative in looking for analytic solutions for understanding the complex interactions our data represents.