Assessment Methods for Student Affairs

Tables, Figures, and Exhibits vii

Foreword ix

Preface xi

About the Author xxi

About the Contributors xxiii

1. Assessment as an Essential Dimension of Contemporary Student Affairs Practice 1

2. Using Existing Databases 23
Kevin Saunders and Darin R. Wohlgemuth

3. Planning for and Implementing Data Collection 51
R. M. Cooper

4. Selecting, Sampling, and Soliciting Subjects 77
Ann M. Gansemer-Topf and Darin R. Wohlgemuth

5. Instrumentation 107
Kevin Saunders and R. M. Cooper

6. Data Analysis 141
R. M. Cooper and Mack C. Shelley, II

7. Writing Reports and Conducting Briefings 171

8. Ethics 191

9. Using a Mixed Methodological Approach to Assessment: A Case Study 211

10. Looking to the Future of Assessment: Some Ideas and Musings 231

Appendixes

1. Example of a Focus Group Protocol 249

2. Using Microsoft Excel to Develop a Random Sample and a Stratified Random Sample 255

3. Listing of Commonly Used Instruments, Purpose, and Information Collected 257

4. Computer Syntax Code for Table 6.1 261

5. Further Explanation of Table 6.2 263

6. Sample Methods Paragraph 265

7. Informed Consent Checklist: Basic and Additional Elements 267

8. Codes of Ethics of Relevant Professional Organizations to Conducting Assessment Studies in Student Affairs 269

Index 271