Building Institutional Research Workforce in Postsecondary Education: Exploring Institutional Research Professionals' Conceptualizations of Their Professional Identities
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| Title: | Building Institutional Research Workforce in Postsecondary Education: Exploring Institutional Research Professionals' Conceptualizations of Their Professional Identities |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Nothando Sithulile Nkambule (ORCID |
| Source: | Higher Education Policy. 2025 38(3):645-664. |
| Availability: | Palgrave Macmillan. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail:customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: http://www.palgrave.com/us/social-science/education |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 20 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Institutional Research, Labor Force Development, Educational Researchers, Professional Identity, Postsecondary Education, Career Pathways, Job Development, Leadership, Empowerment, Foreign Countries |
| Geographic Terms: | Taiwan |
| DOI: | 10.1057/s41307-024-00365-0 |
| ISSN: | 0952-8733 1740-3863 |
| Abstract: | To provide insights into how institutions can scaffold institutional researchers' construction of strong professional identities, we employed a qualitative approach, rooted in the constructivist paradigm, which involved conducting semi-structured interviews with 11 IR professionals regarding how they conceptualized their professional identities. Using thematic analysis, we constructed two themes: (1) facets of institutional researchers' professional identities and their related tensions, and (2) suggestions for developing the next generation of IR professionals. Findings revealed that IR practitioners hold multiple identities and suggested that establishing clear career paths, improving job-design, and providing leadership support were viable ways to retain the current IR workforce. We highlight policy implications regarding the need for a balance between workforce empowerment and professional identities. We call on Taiwanese policymakers to introduce a holistic approach to successful institutional research, fostering a culture of quality within higher education institutions. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2025 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1489473 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | To provide insights into how institutions can scaffold institutional researchers' construction of strong professional identities, we employed a qualitative approach, rooted in the constructivist paradigm, which involved conducting semi-structured interviews with 11 IR professionals regarding how they conceptualized their professional identities. Using thematic analysis, we constructed two themes: (1) facets of institutional researchers' professional identities and their related tensions, and (2) suggestions for developing the next generation of IR professionals. Findings revealed that IR practitioners hold multiple identities and suggested that establishing clear career paths, improving job-design, and providing leadership support were viable ways to retain the current IR workforce. We highlight policy implications regarding the need for a balance between workforce empowerment and professional identities. We call on Taiwanese policymakers to introduce a holistic approach to successful institutional research, fostering a culture of quality within higher education institutions. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 0952-8733 1740-3863 |
| DOI: | 10.1057/s41307-024-00365-0 |
