Multivariate Analysis in Institutional Research. AIR Forum 1979 Paper.

This introduction to the theory and application of multivariate analysis is designed to assist institutional researchers who are interested in using these techniques to analyze issues within their respective institutions. A brief introduction to multivariate theory, consisting of a rationale for multivariate statistics and an overview of selected multivariate techniques, is presented. Applications of multivariate analysis in institutional research, obtained from a review of the literature in the field, are discussed, with particular emphasis given to studies because of their utilization of intrainstitutional, rather than interinstitutional data. The studies described used a variety of multivariate statistical procedures, including multivariate analysis of variance, discriminant analysis, canonical correlation, and factor analysis. Possible applications are suggested in the traditional institutional research areas of students, faculty, academic programs, resource allocation, and institutional evaluation. Additional potential applications of multivariate analysis in institutional research are also suggested, including using discriminant analysis as a classification technique. (SC)