Longitudinal Analysis. Setting up your Data Mart for Cohort-Based

Longitudinal Analysis. Christopher M. Johnson, PhD

Director of Research & Development Pat Chakravarty, Research Analyst

Renton Technical College

Chris Johnson & Michelle Andreas 2

Overview

• Tracks students by cohorts

• Disaggregates students by demographics

• Developed with existing tools and a very small budget

• Rapid prototyping system

• Expand its features statewide3/16/2010

Chris Johnson & Michelle Andreas 3

Features

• Goals of Longitudinal Analysis– Pinpoint intervention areas– Identify trends

• Cohort definitions– Loose - any group you want to look at with given characteristics

(example, students who visited the Math lab)– Strict - Forward looking study - a group of students with

characteristics that start at some point together.– Really Strict. IPEDS definition - First time, Degree Seeking, Fall t

o Fall, etc. (about 5 percent of Fall enrollment)– Retrospective - take a group and looking backwards, for

example, 2010 graduates.

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Chris Johnson & Michelle Andreas 4

The Reports

• Reports - Standard vs. Ad hoc Analysis– Result tables - Course Enrollment, Program (plus other

cohorts), Student Profile - allow for quick analysis.– Program - by Core Courses (other possibilities, CIP, EPC,

etc.)– Standard Look and Feel• With training & support from Institutional Research • May be too detailed, but trying to get people to do own

drilldown and familiarize themselves• Ad hocs are mainly cross tabs.

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Chris Johnson & Michelle Andreas 5

Results

• 41% of Full-Time Employees• Easy access expands culture of evidence

• Open door policy and faster response• Important research questions from “fishing

trips”• Regular training on access and use• Feedback loop between Research & Staff

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Chris Johnson & Michelle Andreas 6

Rapid Prototype of State Project

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Chris Johnson & Michelle Andreas 7

Enhancements

• New types of data.

• Expansion to whole campus

• Automation of Reports (stepwise)

• Phased Move from Development Environment to a Production Environment (Access to SQL Server)

• Developing Business Logic Feedback Loop

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Thank you! Any Questions?

• Public version of the Retention Model at – http://www.rtc.edu/AboutUs/ResearchDevelopment/Reports/

– Click on Interactive Cohort Retention Report (in MS Excel 2007)

• Contact – Chris Johnson, Director of Research & Development. (425)

235-2352 x5713 cjohnson@RTC.edu – Pat Chakravarty, Research Analyst. (425) 235-2352 x5713

pchakravarty@RTC.edu

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