Creating a Campus Climate Survey that Fits Your Institution's Values

Cathryn TurrentineDirector of Institutional ResearchKeene State College

Goal:

To give you the tools to create• An institutionally authentic assessment• With campus-wide agreement that findings are

relevant to the institution, and• The ability to use the findings to transform the

institutional climate

Qualitative research methods:• Document analysis• Emergent theme coding

• Concern for trustworthiness and authenticity

Transformative Research Paradigm:

Social justice orientation

Effort to recognize and reduce the privilege accorded to the researcher

Partnership between the researcher and the community

Both questions and findings belong to the community

Use of findings to promote community change

Mertens, D. M. (2009). Transformative Research and Evaluation. New York: Guilford Press.

Quick Summary

“Do a Campus Climate Survey.”

Quick Summary

“Do a Campus Climate Survey.”

Analyze Institutional Values around Diversity

Quick Summary

“Do a Campus Climate Survey.”

Analyze Institutional Values around Diversity

Create a Locally Authentic Survey Instrument

Quick Summary

“Do a Campus Climate Survey.”

Analyze Institutional Values around Diversity

Create a Locally Authentic Survey Instrument

Findings Generate a Campus-Wide Conversation

Quick Summary

“Do a Campus Climate Survey.”

Analyze Institutional Values around Diversity

Create a Locally Authentic Survey Instrument

Findings Generate a Campus-Wide Conversation

Conversation Leads to Cultural Change

Where to sta

rt?

Step 1: Don’t do it alone.

Step 1: Don’t do it alone.A broad-based research team (students/faculty/staff)• Establishes community ownership of the study• Makes findings more acceptable to the community at large• Builds the research capacity of the community, reducing the

privilege accorded to the researcher

Step 2: Round up institutional statements about diversity.

Where would you search on your own website?

Mission Vision Values Strategic Plan Core Curriculum Diversity Council Area Studies Programs Diversity Program/Support Offices

Others??

Step 3: Find the common themes.

Questions f

or the r

esea

rch te

am:

What do we say we are trying to accomplish about diversity?Do our public statements match our actual values?

Questions f

or the r

esea

rch te

am:

Step 4: Find survey items that fit your themes.

Themes• Welcoming Environment• Academic Support• Diverse Relationships• Diverse Curriculum• Social Justice

Survey Items1. _____________________2. _____________________3. _____________________4. _____________________5. _____________________6. _____________________7. _____________________8. _____________________9. _____________________10. _____________________

Step 4: Find survey items that fit your themes.

Select a tone … positive or negative?

Combination?

(Return to Step 1: Don’t do this alone.)

Questions f

or the r

esea

rch te

am:

Do the selected survey items accurately reflect our themes?Will the tone elicit participation?

Questions f

or the r

esea

rch te

am:

Step 5: Be really careful about demographics.

How does your institution phrase questions about…

Gender?

Race/ethnicity?

Sexual orientation?

Citizenship/national origin?

Religion?

Step 6: Select sample to enhance participation of invisible populations.

Step 6: Select sample to enhance participation of invisible populations.

Transg

ender

students

Step 6: Select sample to enhance participation of invisible populations.

Transg

ender

studentsInvisible

Disabilities

Step 6: Select sample to enhance participation of invisible populations.

Transg

ender

studentsInvisible

DisabilitiesUndocumented Immigrants

Step 6: Select sample to enhance participation of invisible populations.

Transg

ender

studentsInvisible

DisabilitiesUndocumented Immigrants

Lesbian, Gay, and bisexual students

Step 6: Select sample to enhance participation of invisible populations.

Transg

ender

studentsInvisible

DisabilitiesUndocumented Immigrants

Lesbian, Gay, and bisexual students

When in doubt, survey the whole population.

Step 7: Data analysis – For positively stated items, compare responses by demographic groups.

Step 8: The findings belong to the whole community, and only they can take action.

Step 8: The findings belong to the whole community, and only they can take action.

Step 8: The findings belong to the whole community, and only they can take action.

Step 8: The findings belong to the whole community, and only they can take action.

Step 8: The findings belong to the whole community, and only they can take action.

TAKE YOUR TIME

Samples for your use:

1. Sample campus climate survey items2. Sample campus climate survey, based on one

created and used at Keene State College

Cathryn TurrentineDirector of Institutional ResearchKeene State College

229 Main St.Keene, NH 03435-1506cturrentine@keene.edu