Use of a Computerized Data Base for Monitoring Graduate Education: An Analysis of Faculty and Administrative Support

Abstract

Surveying faculty members and administrators of a large university, this article examines their attitudes and perceptions regarding the need for and potential use of a computerized data base for monitoring data related to graduate education. Also briefly discussed is the design of the data base, which is an innovative attempt, using a microcomputer, to collect and centralize as much information as possible pertaining to graduate education at a single institution. The primary purposes of the data base are to increase the efficiency of the Graduate School administration and to collect and generate data which can be used by academic departments for program improvements, including students recruiting activities. The results were overwhelmingly in support of the development of such a data base.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Gillespie

R. G.

, Goals for Computing in Higher Education, Journal of Educational Technology Systems, 9, pp. 171–178, 1981.

Tucker

M. S.

, The Turning Point: Telecommunications and Higher Education, Journal of Communication, pp. 118–130, 1983.

Suttle

J. L.

, Using Microcomputers for Institutional Research, New Directions for Institutional Research, 44, pp. 27–38, 1984.

Baldridge

J. V.

Roberts

J. W.

, and Weiner

T. A.

, The Campus and the Microcomputer Revolution: Practical Advice for Non-Technical Decision Makers, Macmillan Publishing Company, New York, 1984.

Brinkman

P. T.

, The Changing Nature of Computer-Based Information Systems, New Directions for Institutional Research, 44, pp. 11–25, 1984.

Miller

M. C.

Wong

Y. M.

, and Michel

, A Graduate Student Information Management System, Journal of Educational Technology Systems, 12, pp. 39–46, 1983.

Girves

J. E.

, The Automatic Integrative Database System in the Graduate School at The Ohio State University, paper presented at the annual meeting of the Council of Graduate Schools, St. Louis, November 30, 1983.

Malaney

G. D.

, “The Coordination of Information in a Highly Differentiated Organization: Use of a Computerized Relational Data Base System as an Integrating Device for Monitoring Graduate Education,” unpublished doctoral dissertation, The Ohio State University, 1985.