Data Sources ✓ Solved
DATA SOURCES 2 Explore Data Sources Carl Harris Northcentral University Dr. Thompson MSOL 5106-3 Understanding Data Due April 4, 2021 Explanation The chart above demonstrates various data sources that could help solve the organizational problem or unequal racial distribution in student enrollment at Southern Crescent Technical College (SCTC). Typically, the four data sources that would help address the organization's concern include SCTC students' enrollment database, web services, industry reports, and customer service reviews and inquiries. The SCTC student enrollment database will be a crucial data source because it will provide information to identify the existence and extent of the unequal racial distribution in student enrollment at Southern Crescent Technical College (SCTC) over the years.
It will indicate that since 2012, the college has only focused on admitting students from the three major racial groups, resulting in unequal ethnic distribution. The web services will also provide information on the student enrollment at SCTC to acknowledge the unequal racial distribution in this institution's student enrollment issues. For instance, the site contains information about the institution's lower retention rate of 61% from , which comprise a red flag of the existence of the problem. Many students consider leaving a college that does not embrace or portray equal racial distribution. The industry reports on racial distribution in student enrollment in education would provide information about other similar colleges on racial distribution in student enrollment for comparison and objective decision-making (Mitroff & Sharpe, 2017).
Customer service reviews and inquiries would also comprise an essential data source to understand the community and students' perspectives to develop an appropriate solution. Besides, the above sources of data are both qualitative and quantitative. The qualitative data source includes customer service reviews and inquiries (Akter et al., 2019). This source is qualitative since it contains non-numerical data related to the organizational concern. Typically, it includes the community and students' views on the racial distribution in student enrollment.
Student enrollment database, web services, and industry reports comprise the quantitative sources. This is because they contain numerical information related to the problem. For instance, the percentages of racial distribution of students enrolled in the institution since 2012. Electronic and paper are the two primary data formats. Student enrollment database, web services, and industry reports take the electronic format, and customer service reviews and inquiries take the paper format.
The data were created or generated by specific individuals and entities. For instance, with the staff's help, the college administration generated the student enrollment database. This database comprised student enrollment elements like gender and race, thus essential for addressing the organizational problem. Specific individuals and institutions generated the data in the web services. For instance, the information on this site ( ) was generated by Data USA.
The U.S. News generated the data on The staff and external researcher generated the data in the customer service reviews and inquiries by asking students and community members about their perspectives on unequal racial distribution in student enrollment at SCTC using interviews and questionnaires. Data validity and reliability are important aspects in handling data tasks such as analyzing data or presenting information to stakeholders (Wang & Byrd, 2017). If the data is not accurate from the beginning, the results would also be inaccurate, leading to inappropriate decision-making based on assumptions. Intezari and Gressel (2017) stated that validating and determining the data's reliability is vital to mitigate the defects in the decision-making.
Therefore, it is crucial to establish the data validity and reliability to ensure the organizational problem is addressed adequately and objectively. To confirm the data validity, specific aspects such as originality, attribution, and legibility must be assessed. Valid data should be original, accurate, complete, and traceable (Akter et al., 2019). It should also be from known and recorded sources. In this case, the web services data are valid because they are original, legit, and attributable.
Reliability can be confirmed by looking at who conducted the research, data collection methods, or the sample size. The criterion of assessing who conducted the research fits the organization. Fundamentally, SCTC and other government agencies researched to generate the data on the web services sources, thus demonstrating reliability. The data’s age can be identified by looking at the period when it was researched and published. For instance, data researched and published this year can show that its age is only a few months.
By the time the data gets to the organizational leader, different individuals like hired researchers, staff members, and the institution’s data analysis team would have gone through it. The data has not been manipulated. Finally, the data will help in solving the organizational problem by serving as a guideline towards reaching a practical solution (Ghasemaghaei, 2019). For instance, the data will demonstrate which programs have the highest unequal racial distribution in student enrollment at SCTC, informing the starting point institution. In other words, the college would ensure equality in the racial distribution in student enrollment by prioritizing students from marginalized racial groups to enhance equality.
References Akter, S., Bandara, R., Hani, U., Wamba, S. F., Foropon, C., & Papadopoulos, T. (2019). Analytics-based decision-making for service systems: A qualitative study and agenda for future research. International Journal of Information Management , 48 , 85-95. Ghasemaghaei, M. (2019).
Does data analytics use improve firm decision-making quality? The role of knowledge sharing and data analytics competency. Decision Support Systems , 120 , 14-24. Intezari, A., & Gressel, S. (2017). Information and reformation in KM systems: big data and strategic decision-making.
Journal of Knowledge Management . Mitroff, S. R., & Sharpe, B. (2017). Using big data to solve real problems through academic and industry partnerships. Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, 18, 91–96. org.proxy1.ncu.edu/10.1016/j.cobeha.2017.09.013 Wang, Y., & Byrd, T.
A. (2017). Business analytics-enabled decision-making effectiveness through knowledge absorptive capacity in health care. Journal of Knowledge Management . Customer service Reviews & Inquiries Web Services HYPERLINK " HYPERLINK " HYPERLINK " Industry Reports Student enrollment database HYPERLINK " Data Sources
Paper for above instructions
Exploring Data Sources to Address Racial Disparities in Student Enrollment at Southern Crescent Technical College
Introduction
Southern Crescent Technical College (SCTC) has faced significant challenges related to the unequal racial distribution in student enrollment, a pressing issue that needs urgent attention. Addressing this concern necessitates a comprehensive strategy that involves the systematic analysis of multiple data sources. The data sources identified for investigation include SCTC's student enrollment database, web services, industry reports, and customer service reviews and inquiries. This assignment will explore the relevance of these data sources in addressing the issue of racial disparities in student enrollment and emphasize the importance of data validity and reliability in decision-making processes.
Data Sources Overview
1. Student Enrollment Database
The SCTC student enrollment database serves as a foundational source for understanding the demographic makeup of the student body over time. It includes critical data elements such as race, gender, age, and academic program, enabling stakeholders to identify trends in enrollment patterns. By analyzing this database, decision-makers can ascertain the extent of racial inequalities and pinpoint schools or programs that may be disproportionately affected. For instance, since 2012, documented trends may indicate overrepresentation of certain racial groups in admissions (Wang & Byrd, 2017).
2. Web Services
Web services provide accessible information about SCTC's enrollment statistics and can serve as a supplementary source to the student enrollment database. Websites such as Data USA and College Navigator allow stakeholders to compare SCTC's demographic data with similar institutions, thereby offering context to the enrollment disparities observed. The retention rates highlighted (61% at SCTC) also underscore the potential impact of unequal representation on student experiences, suggesting that students may feel isolated in a non-diverse environment (Mitroff & Sharpe, 2017).
3. Industry Reports
To gain a broader understanding of how SCTC's racial distribution compares with its peers, industry reports are invaluable. These reports analyze enrollment statistics from various educational institutions, providing benchmarks for assessing SCTC’s performance in diversity and inclusion. Insights gleaned from these reports can inform strategies for recruitment and retention, especially for marginalized racial groups. Furthermore, examining successful case studies from other institutions can guide SCTC in reforming its admissions practices to foster a more inclusive academic community (Akter et al., 2019).
4. Customer Service Reviews and Inquiries
Collecting qualitative data through customer service reviews and inquiries adds another layer of analysis. This qualitative aspect gathers invaluable insights into the perceptions of current and prospective students, as well as community members, regarding SCTC's racial representation. Through interviews and surveys, stakeholders can better understand individual concerns and experiences related to racial disparities in enrollment. Differences in opinions and experiences can signal underlying issues within the institution that may deter students from diverse backgrounds from applying or remaining enrolled (Ghasemaghaei, 2019).
Data Validity and Reliability
Ensuring the validity and reliability of data is paramount in addressing SCTC's enrollment issues. Valid data must be original, accurate, complete, and traceable, and should be derived from reputable sources. The SCTC student enrollment database, for example, should be regularly updated to reflect real-time admissions data. This would ensure that any analysis or intervention is grounded in the most current information available (Intezari & Gressel, 2017).
Reliability, on the other hand, can be assessed through the research methods employed to collect the data and the credibility of the personnel involved in the data generation. For instance, data from government organizations and established educational research entities are generally deemed reliable due to their rigorous data collection methodologies. A detailed examination of sample sizes and demographics can also shed light on the robustness of the data being analyzed (Ghasemaghaei, 2019). Any assessments of customer service reviews need to ensure that a sufficient and diverse sample is used to reflect various perspectives accurately (Akter et al., 2019).
Comparative Analysis
By triangulating data from the enrollment database, web services, industry reports, and qualitative reviews, SCTC can produce a well-rounded understanding of racial disparities in its student body. For example, quantitative data from enrollment may reveal low numbers of Hispanic or Black students, while qualitative data may provide insights into barriers these groups face in the admissions process. Understanding the confluence of quantitative and qualitative data sets will enable SCTC to tailor strategies that directly address the unique challenges experienced by underrepresented students (Mitroff & Sharpe, 2017).
Awareness of the intersectionality of various factors affecting minority enrollment is critical. This may include socioeconomic status, local school systems, or historical factors that have influenced education accessibility. Therefore, applying both qualitative and quantitative insights will form a comprehensive view of SCTC's situation, ultimately informing more effective policy changes and recruitment strategies (Wang & Byrd, 2017).
Conclusion
The issue of unequal racial distribution in student enrollment at Southern Crescent Technical College represents a significant challenge that demands a thorough and multifaceted approach to resolution. Utilizing the identified data sources, SCTC can better understand the nature of the problem and develop effective strategies to promote diversity and inclusivity. Ensuring the validity and reliability of the collected data will be crucial to the success of these efforts, as decisions based on flawed data can perpetuate rather than solve existing disparities. Through informed and data-driven action, SCTC has the potential to foster a more equitable educational environment.
References
1. Akter, S., Bandara, R., Hani, U., Wamba, S. F., Foropon, C., & Papadopoulos, T. (2019). Analytics-based decision-making for service systems: A qualitative study and agenda for future research. International Journal of Information Management, 48, 85-95.
2. Ghasemaghaei, M. (2019). Does data analytics use improve firm decision-making quality? The role of knowledge sharing and data analytics competency. Decision Support Systems, 120, 14-24.
3. Intezari, A., & Gressel, S. (2017). Information and reformation in KM systems: big data and strategic decision-making. Journal of Knowledge Management.
4. Mitroff, S. R., & Sharpe, B. (2017). Using big data to solve real problems through academic and industry partnerships. Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, 18, 91–96.
5. Wang, Y., & Byrd, T. A. (2017). Business analytics-enabled decision-making effectiveness through knowledge absorptive capacity in health care. Journal of Knowledge Management.
6. College Navigator. (n.d.). National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved from [https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/](https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/)
7. Data USA. (n.d.). Retrieved from [https://datausa.io/](https://datausa.io/)
8. SCTC Student Enrollment Reports. (n.d.). Southern Crescent Technical College. Retrieved from [SCTC official site](https://www.sctech.edu)
9. Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U). (2019). Multicultural education: Best practices.
10. U.S. News & World Report. (2021). Best Colleges: Southern Crescent Technical College Rankings.