Academic Research & Assessment
Welcome to Valley City State University's Academic Research & Assessment Website. With questions or concerns, please contact Dr.
Gregory D. Carlson, Director of Institutional Research and Assessment,
at (701) 845-7480.
Mission Statement: Academic Research and Assessment Office
provides resources, guidance, and information for the planning and
implementation of student outcomes assessment, academic program review,
Ability assessment, and other procedures that support academic program
improvement, student learning, and accreditation. Resources for faculty
and staff to conduct basic and applied research in support of their
academic pursuits as well as grant writing assistance and information
pertaining to grant opportunities are also provided.
An Overview of Assessment of Student Learning at VCSU
Assessment of student learning, "an ongoing process aimed at
understanding and improving student learning," plays a critical role in
our ability to determine and respond effectively to student needs (AAHE
Bulletin, 11/95).
Over the past decade, understandings of academic assessment at Valley
City State University have developed from an initially broad, unclear
discussion to a specific, focused use of Abilities to shape curriculum
and define outcome measures. In developing its assessment process, VCSU
is guided by the AAHE explanation that assessment involves:
- Making our expectations explicit;
- Setting appropriate criteria and high standards for learning;
- Systematically
gathering, analyzing, and interpreting evidence to determine how well
performance matches those expectations and standards;
- Using the resulting information to document, explain, and improve performance. (AAHE Bulletin, 11/95)
A number of individuals and committees at VCSU are responsible for
assessing and improving student learning, from the teacher in General
Education or major program classroom to the Curriculum Committee and the
Faculty Senate. This office supports various assessment activities and
the responsibilities of individuals and groups. It also organizes data
and communicates information for those individuals and groups
undertaking the process of improving student learning.
An Overview of Academic Research at VCSU
This Office provides the following:
- Provides funding and
directives for internal mini-grants focused on academic research,
particularly research in support of academic pursuits to enhance the
reputation of Valley City State University.
- Identification of grant opportunities to support grant activities at VCSU.
- In
cooperation with the relevant administrative units on campus and
funding sources, we assist faculty and staff in the development and
submission external grant applications.
- Maintains the
Institutional Review Board (IRB) website and reviews the Human Subjects
submissions by faculty, staff, and student researchers.
