Blog

Is Your University's Data Request Form Actually Optimized? How Better Design Can Reduce 77% of Clarification Time

An analysis of 18 university data request forms reveals three dominant intake formats, threefold complexity variation, and the design gaps that create hidden work for IR teams

35% of universities have no formal intake process, and 77% of IR offices require extensive clarification before analysis begins. Analysis of 18 university data request forms reveals what the best systems do differently.

Clema Research TeamFeb 25, 20268 mins read

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Reporting & Analytics

Who's Growing Through Dual Enrollment? A Side-by-Side Benchmark of Community Colleges and Four-Year Institutions

Scale vs. Speed: How Dual Enrollment Differs Across Sectors Using IPEDS 2023–2024 Data

IPEDS 2023–2024 data reveals four-year institutions growing 3x faster in dual enrollment than community colleges, while community colleges carry 32.4% structural reliance. A full side-by-side benchmark.

Clema Research TeamFeb 25, 20268 mins read

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Reporting & Analytics

What IR Teams Really Benchmark — Evidence from 50 Interviews

Four Core Benchmarking Domains and Three Benchmarking Types from 50 IR Director Interviews

Discover what IR teams actually benchmark most often — from student outcomes and faculty metrics to aspirational peer lists — based on evidence from 50 institutional research interviews.

Clema Research TeamFeb 25, 202610 mins read

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Data Request Management

What Is the Relationship Between Data Request Intake Quality, Request Intelligence, and Workload in Institutional Research Given That 78% of Requests Require 10+ Follow-Up Questions?

Why IR Teams Lose Capacity Before Analysis Even Begins

Research shows 80% of IR data requests arrive missing critical elements. Learn how Request Intelligence — the quality of requests at intake — determines whether your team spends time analyzing or clarifying.

Clema Research TeamFeb 12, 202610 mins read

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Data Request Management

Best Practices for Institutional Researchers to Optimize Data Requests and Reclaim the 60% of Team's Capacity

Data Request Guidelines for Streamlining Self-Service Dashboards

Discover proven strategies from IR leaders to streamline data requests, implement self-service dashboards effectively, and reclaim up to 60% of your team's capacity for strategic work.

Clema Research TeamJan 12, 202612 mins read

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Professional Development

Conferences Institutional Researchers in Higher Ed Should Attend in 2026

14 conferences worth your time — from the national flagship to regional gatherings and data-focused events

A guide to the 14 conferences IR professionals should consider in 2026, from AIR Forum to regional and data-focused events.

Wilson BrightMar 28, 202612 mins read

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Professional Development

What IR Experts Are Reading and Where They're Finding Community: A Resource Guide Built from 50+ Interviews

Newsletters, listservs, and peer communities that IR professionals actually use to stay sharp

A resource guide built from 50+ interviews with IR professionals — the newsletters they read, the communities they trust, and where peer-to-peer learning happens.

Wilson BrightMar 28, 20268 mins read

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Professional Development

What IR Experts Are Listening to and Learning From: Podcasts and Books — A Resource Guide Built from 50+ Interviews

The podcasts, books, and training programs IR professionals recommend for going deeper

Part 2 of our resource guide: the podcasts IR pros listen to on their commute, the books on their desk, and the training programs they recommend.

Wilson BrightMar 28, 202610 mins read

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