About Institutional Research
Definitions of Institutional Research:
"Institutional research has to do with what decision makers need to know about an institution, its educational objectives, goals and purposes, environmental factors, process, and structures to more wisely use its resources, more successfully attain its objectives and goals, and to demonstrate integrity and accountability in so doing.”
Dressel, P. L. The shaping of institutional research and planning.
Research in Higher Education, 14 (3).

“Institutional research is research conducted within an institution of higher education in order to provide information which supports institutional planning, policy formulation and decision making.”
Saupe, Joe L. The Functions of Institutional Research. Tallahassee, FL:
Association for Institutional Research, 1981.

The Office of Institutional Research and Assessment at The University of Alabama:
This office has access to a great deal of confidential data regarding the campus, personnel, and students. It is critical for the office to maintain the trust of the campus in its handling of these data. Therefore, this office adheres to the accepted “Code of Ethics” for our profession.