IR Resources and Further Reading: Everything We Published in One Place

Introduction

Clema's Original Research

IR Metrics and Definitions

• [IR metrics and benchmarks higher ed teams track](/ir-metrics-benchmarks): retention, graduation (150% time), FTE, cohort default rate, net price, and a four-step peer-benchmarking method.
• [IR metrics and IPEDS formulas](/ir-metrics): plain-language reference with worked examples and the IPEDS 2025-26 keyholder reporting deadlines.
• [Why one term has five definitions](/blog/multi-layer-data-definitions-higher-ed): the multi-layer definition problem in higher ed and what it costs IR teams.
• [Governing data definitions: a six-step framework](/blog/governing-data-definitions-six-step-framework): how to move from person-dependent to system-supported data definitions.
• [Federal data release calendar for IR teams (2026)](/blog/federal-data-release-calendar-higher-ed-2026): cadence and latest-available data for the 11 federal datasets IR pulls on.

IR Process and Operations

• [IR capacity benchmarks: the real cost of ad hoc data requests](/blog/ir-capacity-benchmarks-the-real-cost-of-ad-hoc-data-requests): quantified benchmarks from the whitepaper, by team size.
• [The IR team's year: when each season hits and what to prepare](/blog/the-ir-teams-year-when-each-season-hits-and-what-to-prepare): the when/lifecycle guide to peak, moderate, and low season.
• [Best practices for IR teams to optimize data requests](/blog/best-practices-ir-ie-optimize-data-requests): how to reclaim 60% of team capacity with optimized request workflows.
• [Intake quality, request intelligence, and IR workload](/blog/data-request-intake-quality-request-intelligence-workload-institutional-research): why 78% of data requests require 10+ follow-up questions.
• [Is your data request form optimized?](/blog/data-request-form-design-optimization): analysis of 18 university data-request forms and the design gaps that create hidden work.

IR Career and Community

• [How to learn institutional research](/blog/how-to-learn-institutional-research): 25 ways to learn IR, with formats, costs, and links.
• [IR conferences to attend in 2026](/blog/ir-conferences-higher-ed-2026): 14 conferences for IR professionals, from AIR Forum to regional and data-focused events.
• [What IR experts are reading](/blog/ir-resources-reading-community): the newsletters, listservs, and peer communities IR professionals use.
• [IR podcasts and books resource guide](/blog/ir-podcasts-books-resource-guide): podcasts and books built from 50+ interviews with IR professionals.

Clema Product Walkthroughs

• [First five questions to ask Clema](/blog/first-five-questions-to-ask-clema): starter set for the free trial.
• [Get started with IPEDS in plain English](/blog/get-started-with-ipeds-in-plain-english): five IPEDS questions to ask in your first session.
• [How to build a peer group in Clema](/blog/how-to-build-a-peer-group-in-clema): criterior, validation, and pulling a metric for the group.
• [How to ask an IPEDS question in Clema](/blog/how-to-ask-an-ipeds-question-in-clema): prompt patterns and the source check.
• [How to set up SSO with Clema](/blog/how-to-set-up-sso-with-clema): SAML 2.0 and OAuth 2.0 procedural.
• [Clema onboarding: a four-week setup checklist](/blog/clema-onboarding-checklist): who, what, and success criteria by week.