Research Methods And Applications For Student Affairs

A COMPREHENSIVE RESOURCE FOR UNDERSTANDING AND APPLYING RESEARCH METHODS Research Methods and Applications for Student Affairs offers students and professionals in the field an authoritative and accessible guide to help navigate research in student affairs. This comprehensive resource on research methods instruction clearly shows how to interpret the various forms of research, how to be critical as a research consumer, and how to use research to inform practice. Author J. Patrick Biddix—a noted scholar and expert in the field—presents a detailed overview of three qualitative-focused and four quantitative-focused research methods. The text reviews the basics of these qualitative and quantitative approaches and explores how to differentiate the major types of research as well as how to understand, read, evaluate, and apply results. Biddix also includes important information on using mixed methods approaches. The user-friendly text includes insights on key issues, as well as descriptions of the individual sections that comprise research studies. Also included is an overview of ethical considerations that apply specifically to student affairs. Research Methods and Applications for Student Affairs is an essential guide for enhancing research methods' skills, and offers direction for applying those skills in actual work situations.

Research in the College Context, 2nd Edition provides faculty, students, practitioners, and researchers in the college environment with a manual of diverse approaches and methods for researching higher education and college students. The text offers the reader a variety of qualitative and quantitative research tools including interviewing, surveys, mixed methods, focus groups, visual methods, participatory action research, policy analysis, document analysis and historical methods, secondary data analysis, and use of large national data sets. This revised edition provides readers with current and innovative methodological tools needed to research the complex issues facing higher education today. Each technique is thoroughly presented with accompanying examples, advice for designing research projects, and tips for data collection, analysis, and dissemination of results. Clearly organized and accessible, this volume is the essential guide for experienced and novice researchers.

Editor John Schuh and his fellow contributors, all experts in the field, detail the methodological aspects of conducting assessment projects specifically for the student affairs practitioner who is ready to conduct assessment projects, but is not quite sure how to manage their technical aspects. Using a variety of case studies and concrete examples to illustrate various assessment approaches, the authors lead the reader step-by-step through each phase of the assessment process with jargon-free, hands-on guidance.

Assessment Methods for Student Affairs Accountability and demonstrating organizational effectiveness are two hallmarks of contemporary administrative practice in higher education in general and in student affairs administration in particular. As funding for student affairs is increasingly tied to the need to show how student affairs programs and services make a difference in higher education, accrediting bodies, governmental organizations, governing boards, students, parents, and other stakeholders continue to accelerate their demand that higher education organizations be accountable for their work. Consequently, the technical and methodological aspects of conducting assessment projects have become of critical importance to student affairs administrators. Assessment Methods for Student Affairs provides a practical guide to the nuts and bolts of conducting assessments, exploring issues such as how to get started, how to use survey instruments and software, how to collect and analyze data, how to present information in a meaningful form to the various stakeholders of the assessment project—whether by writing reports or conducting briefings—and how to implement findings. Editor John Schuh and his fellow contributors, all experts in the field, detail the methodological aspects of conducting assessment projects specifically for the student affairs practitioner who is ready to conduct assessment projects, but is not quite sure how to manage their technical aspects. Using a variety of case studies and concrete examples to illustrate various assessment approaches, the authors lead the reader step-by-step through each phase of the assessment process with jargon-free, hands-on guidance. This book is not written for statisticians, qualitative methodologists, theoreticians, psychometrists, or others whose careers are centered on the development or refinement of various research paradigms. Written by practitioners for practitioners in a straightforward and accessible style, Assessment Methods for Student Affairs will ensure that anyone conducting an assessment can complete it successfully and efficiently.

Six research projects written by master candidates in the Higher Education and Student Affairs program at the U. of Vermont present case studies and qualitative conclusions related to students' attitudes towards campus issues. The topics treated are suicide, acquaintance rape, alcohol-related death, working-class oppression, alcoholic parents, and multiracial identification. Also included are commentaries by the editor upon the methodology and ethics of the `constructivist' research used. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

A practical, comprehensive manual for assessment design and implementation Assessment in Student Affairs, Second Edition offers a contemporary look at the foundational elements and practical application of assessment in student affairs. Higher education administration is increasingly called upon to demonstrate organizational effectiveness and engage in continuous improvement based on information generated through systematic inquiry. This book provides a thorough primer on all stages of the assessment process. From planning to reporting and beyond, you'll find valuable assessment strategies to help you produce meaningful information and improve your program. Combining and updating the thoroughness and practicality of Assessment in Student Affairs and Assessment Practice in Student Affairs, this new edition covers design of assessment projects, ethical practice, student learning outcomes, data collection and analysis methods, report writing, and strategies to implement change based on assessment results. Case studies demonstrate real-world application to help you clearly see how these ideas are used effectively every day, and end-of-chapter discussion questions stimulate deeper investigation and further thinking about the ideas discussed. The instructor resources will help you seamlessly integrate this new resource into existing graduate-level courses. Student affairs administrators understand the importance of assessment, but many can benefit from additional direction when it comes to designing and implementing evaluations that produce truly useful information. This book provides field-tested approaches to assessment, giving you a comprehensive how-to manual for demonstrating—and improving—the work you do every day. Build your own assessment to demonstrate organizational effectiveness Utilize quantitative and qualitative techniques and data Identify metrics and methods for measuring student learning Report and implement assessment findings effectively Accountability and effectiveness are the hallmarks of higher education administration today, and they are becoming the metrics by which programs and services are evaluated. Strong assessment skills have never been more important. Assessment in Student Affairs gives you the knowledge base and skill set you need to shine a spotlight on what you and your organization are able to achieve.

This monograph considers student affairs research, providing an overview of research issues; a practical guide to conducting and teaching about research; and a critique of current research assumptions, methods, and practices. "The Promise of Student Affairs Research" (Karl Beeler and Deborah Ellen Hunter) uses "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" as a metaphorical starting point for describing the campus environment, introduces ways to view research as a practical tool, and argues for research based on student characteristics at the individual campus level. "In Search of the Lost Chord: Applying Research to Planning and Decision Making" (Larry Benedict) lists reasons cited for failing to conduct research in student affairs and shows that research need not be expensive or time consuming. "Of Puzzles and Pieces: Organizing and Directing a Campus-Based Research Agenda" (William Weitzer and Gary Malaney) describes a simple four-step process for planning the design of research projects. "Rethinking Research in Student Affairs" (George Kuh) presses the profession to move forward in its thinking about what constitutes useful knowledge. "The Call to Assessment: What Role for Student Affairs?" (Gary Hanson) provides an overview of assessment issues in higher education and student affairs. "Peering Through the 'Looking Glass' at Preparation Needed for Student Affairs Research" (Deborah Ellen Hunter and Karl Beeler) discusses how student affairs professionals can be motivated and taught the skills for competency in research. "Student Affairs Research on Trial" (Robert Brown) passes judgment on the profession as a producer and user of research. (NB)

The foremost scholars in student affairs discuss issues facing the field today, approaches to those issues, and skills necessary to enact the approaches Professionals in student affairs administration need practical, timely, and applied information on the myriad issues they encounter in supporting the success of the students and the institutions they serve. In the Handbook of Student Affairs Administration, the top scholars in the field share the latest information, methods, and advice on addressing these issues. The book is sponsored by NASPA, the leading professional organization for student affairs in higher education. This fifth edition has been updated to reflect current and effective techniques in student affairs administration including new chapters on anti-oppressive frameworks and equity in praxis, access for students with disabilities, men and masculinities, support for students’ mental health and well-being, and student employment as learning-integrated work. There is also an emphasis throughout on adult learners, online learners, part-time students, and transfer students. Chapter authors of diverse gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, experiential background, and type of institution offer broader perspectives. Learn about the dominant organization and administration models in student affairs Stay up to date on core competencies and professional development models Discover research-based strategies for addressing both emerging and lasting issues in student affairs Instructor resources available The Handbook of Student Affairs Administration is a comprehensive and thoughtful resource, with expert insight on the issues facing student affairs. This is one handbook students and professionals in the field won’t want to go without.