Course Description
A broad overview of the National Center for Educational Statistics national databases and other selected databases relevant for United States postsecondary education. Following review and understanding, each student will develop a research question, complete analyses, and write a report that uses data from one of the national databases.
Athena Title
INTRO NATL DATASETS
Prerequisite
EDHI 8920
Semester Course Offered
Offered spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Course objectives are as follows: •To develop and articulate an understanding of the NCES and select other national databases relevant for postsecondary education; •Based on data available, develop one or more research questions related to higher education; this will be accomplished with adequate understanding of the major issues facing American Higher Education today; •Extract a dataset, either via a tool such as the Peer Analysis System (PAS), Data Analysis System (DAS), or Data Cutting Tool (DCT); •Through the proposal and full paper, develop and articulate an understanding of the relationships between academic, fiscal, and facilities planning, policy analysis, and institutional effectiveness; •To identify current issues in higher education and contemplate issues for the future.
Topical Outline
* Introduction, logistics for course * Brief overview of NCES and NSF postsecondary datasets * Brief overview of College Navigator, CDS Initiative, USNews data * Discussion on Peer Groups * Overview of IPEDS and other NCES Postsec Surveys, NCES Peer * Analysis System, Executive Peer Tool * Overview of NSF Surveys * Overview of NSF, WebCASPAR, SESTAT not covered * Using the Data Analysis System (DAS) and Data Cutting Tool (DCT) * Sampling, Weighting procedures in the datasets * Submit draft research question(s) * DAS, PAS exercise or Data Cutting Tool exercises * Student Reports on their Analysis * Submission of Final Report