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

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
JX

Jun Xiang, n/a

Business Intelligence Analyst
University of California, Irvine, United States
JZ

Jing Zhao, n/a

Director of Institutional Research
Eastern University, United States
HL

Hsueh Leung, n/a

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

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.