Institutional Research and End-User Computing: The Development of an Information Center. AIR 1983 Annual Forum Paper.

The role of institutional research in the creation and operation of an information center is discussed, along with the ways in which the spread of information centers within higher education is likely to influence the future development of institutional research. Forces leading to the emergence of information centers are advances in computer hardware and software, and the emergence of the end-users (i.e., people who make productive use of the computer). To insure that the use of computer resources serves organizational objectives without constricting the flexibility of user independence, two components are needed: a systems review group to oversee and coordinate the growth of computer use, and information system development. The prerequisites for information center development are: the recognition of need, database considerations, a pilot test, definition of roles, and budget commitment and perceived benefits. One institutions's experiences in linking the institutional research office to performing information center functions are described. It is suggested that rather than providing information in a formal report, institutional researchers will increasingly assist decision makers in retrieving, analyzing, and reporting needed information directly via their own computer. (SW)