Comparative Study of Institutional Research: Presenting Matrix of Institutional Research

This study comparatively investigated the functions of institutional research offices in selected universities based on Welkin's model (2008). Moreover, the present research aimed to present matrix of Institutional Research. Institutional research is a new concept in system of higher education in Iran. In this project, a summary of academic functions of institutional research was presented. Then, those concepts in institutional research offices which are similar to the 18 elements of institutional research in Welkin's model were identified and described. Moreover, difference points of institutional research offices in those universities were studied. Documents of institutional research were collected and analyzed through websites of the selected universities (year 2015).
Sixteen universities were selected based on the classification of Association of Institutional Research (AIR) through purposive sampling. Results showed that the function of Institutional research offices of selected universities are similar to 54% of activities in Welkin's model. As with differences, 6 new aspects of institutional research activities were identified. The 6 new elements were added to the 18 institutional research activities to organize five main functions.
The main functions defined in this study include: accountability, decision-making and research, policy analysis, and information authority. Finally, matrix of institutional research was drawn in which, 24 elements of institutional research in goal continuum, (from improvement to development), and in organizational continuum (from administrative level to academic level) were described as 5 main functions. The findings can be a guide to think, and act to make and develop institutional research offices in different universities in the country