Data Requests

The Office of Institutional Research & Effectiveness (IR&E) supports administrators, faculty, staff, and students by assisting with the collection, organization, and analysis of institutional data. This support can include writing custom reports using Bellarmine’s business intelligence and analytics tools; providing longitudinal datasets for research purposes; performing statistical analysis and validity testing on datasets; and disseminating findings through visualizations, dashboards, publications, and other tools.

IR&E can also provide assistance in extracting or requesting data from external, public sources such as the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), federal and state labor departments, the Kentucky Council for Postsecondary Education (CPE), and the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC).

To make a request, please complete the Data Request Form. 

Please review the following Q&A before submitting a data request:

Who can submit a data request?
Data requests can be submitted by internal as well as external users. Prior to submitting a data request, we encourage you to explore the links under "Institutional Data Sources" in the menu to the right. Staff and faculty may also access internal report repositories (CROA, Registrar Reports, etc.) to determine if the needed information is already available to them.

How long does it take for IR&E to fulfill a data request?
Turnaround depends on the workload of the office at the time of your request, as well as the complexity and scope of the request. In the data request form, you will have an opportunity to specify a deadline by which you need the information. We will do our best to complete your request by that date. In general, we request a lead time of at least five to ten business days. Some projects may take longer to complete. It is always advantageous to submit the data request as far in advance as possible.

What happens after I submit a data request?
Initially, you should receive an automated email confirmation that your request was successfully submitted.  A member of the IR&E team will contact you if we have any additional questions after receiving your request or cannot meet the deadline requested. Otherwise, expect the results from your request on or before the requested deadline.

What if I need to add additional information to my request?
If you have a document that will help IR&E understand your data request or provide additional information that does not fit in the form itself, you can attach a file at the end of the data request form.

What type of information can IR&E provide?
In addition to official enrollment, graduation and retention statistics, IR&E has access to data about a range of other topics and trends: student achievement, teaching and learning, faculty and academic affairs, engagement and student affairs, alumni and development, budgets and finance, etc. We also provide research consultation services for qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method studies as well as advice on the appropriate use of inferential and predictive statistics, data analytics, longitudinal analysis, and dissemination of research findings.

What information may IR&E refuse to provide?
IR&E provides individual, person-level data in compliance with all applicable regulations, laws, and federal/state guidance regarding data privacy (including but not limited to FERPA, GLBA, and GDPR).  The office also reserves the right to withhold certain data if sharing it would be unethical or potentially harmful to any individual, group of individuals, or the university.  Should IR&E not be able to provide any data requested, we will let you know why and, if possible, offer alternatives that might serve your needs.

Bellarmine does not fulfill blanket records requests for community directory information from third parties unless the request is made under the auspices of the Solomon Amendment. Requests for data of this nature from other parties will be ignored.

What if I want to collect information via a survey or similar evaluation instrument?
IR&E assists in the administration of surveys and evaluation instruments to collect data from members of the campus community. For more information, please review the links under "Survey and Course Evaluation Resources" in the menu to the right.  Requests for support in administering or scheduling collection via surveys or similar instruments should be submitted through the Survey Request Form.