What research should IR do and how: A guideline of IR research methodology

Wednesday, May 27, 2026

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM East Coast USA Time

Location: Marquis Salon 12/13 Room (ML2)

Institution Type: Any

Target Audience: Any

Presenter(s)

Jennifer X. Wu, Ph.D. (she/her/hers)

Chief Engineering Analytics Officer
Penn State College of Engineering
University Park, Pennsylvania, United States

Slides
JZ

Jing Zhao

Director of Institutional Research
Eastern University, United States
HL

Hsueh Leung

Associate Director of Institutional Research & Program Assessment
Baruch College, CUNY, United States
Yan Li

Research Analyst
College of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, Illinois, United States

Session Abstract: Student success is the central mission of higher education, and assessing it requires rigorous, data-driven research. This session presents a practical framework for IR, focusing on what studies to prioritize and how to conduct them with validity and relevance. Four key indicators of success are emphasized: college GPA, student retention, graduation, and post-graduation employment. Using linear regression, logistic regression, and survival analysis, the session explores the impact of pre-college factors, financial aid, demographics, and most importantly, college experiences, the institution’s value-added contribution to student success. To ensure accessibility, findings will be visualized to clearly illustrate relationships between outcomes and predictors. By offering a systematic and broadly applicable methodology, this session equips institutional researchers with actionable strategies to measure, communicate, and strengthen institutional impact.

Keywords: Student success, linear regression, logistic regression, survival analysis, academic performance.