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Institutional Surveys

The Institutional Research Office manages three types of surveys: recurring student surveys, recurring employee surveys, and ad hoc research projects.

First, BYU-Idaho is student-focused by design. To ensure that students’ voices are represented on campus, the Institutional Research office maintains a variety of recurring student survey channels. Data from these channels is regularly used to inform policy, improve products and services, and evaluate our progress towards achieving strategic priorities.

Second, BYU-Idaho leadership recognizes and appreciates hearing from employees who contribute to the University's mission. The employees of BYU-Idaho are outstanding, and they work tirelessly to teach, support, and uplift students. In coordination with the President’s Executive Group and the Human Resources Office, Institutional Research regularly collects feedback from employees, faculty, and staff. This feedback is used to inform policies and procedures, improve products and services, and ensure that employees’ perspectives are fairly and accurately represented in leadership discussions.

Third, Institutional Research engages in strategic partnerships to conduct studies on a variety of topics that are of interest to the University, the Church, CES, and other partners. If you have questions about conducting a research study with BYU-Idaho, please contact research@byui.edu.

For information on how BYU-Idaho protects research and survey data, visit Protection of Research Data.

Student Surveys

March 30, 2022 09:11 AM
The End of Course Survey is an official data collection tool that serves multiple purposes and stakeholders.  In addition to gathering student feedback on courses and instructors, it is also used to: 

  • Measure progress on University goals and initiatives.  
  • Measure student engagement, success, and well-being. 
  • Give students the opportunity to share their perspective on their courses, campus programs, University services, and the school environment.  
  • Inform quality assurance efforts and accreditation requirements.
Student Feedback to Instructor Survey
The Student Feedback to Instructor Survey is designed to collect qualitative student feedback from students at mid-semester. Data are for feedback purposes only and are not used for evaluation or contracting.

If you would like to collect open-ended feedback from your students at mid-semester, you can add the Student Feedback to Instructor survey to your course as a survey assignment using the instructions found in this instructional video.

After the feedback is collected from students, faculty members can view the results by reviewing the Student Feedback to Instructor Report and navigating to their selected course.
Pilot Weekly Survey
For courses that are new or piloting, it’s often helpful to gather student feedback each week. The Pilot Weekly Survey can be added to these courses as a survey assignment to identify strengths, as well as areas for potential improvement in the new course.

If you would like to discuss adding the Pilot Weekly Survey to your new, piloting, or redeveloped course, please contact measurement@byui.edu.
Post-Graduation Survey
The Post-Graduation survey is sent every semester to the following cohorts:

  • Students who have applied for graduation 
  • A selection of graduates from the prior semester 
  • Alumni who graduated one year prior 
  • Alumni who graduated five years prior 

The survey collects data on their employment status, further education pursuits, experience at BYU-Idaho, and important spirituality measures. Some academic departments and programs have added additional questions to gather targeted information from their graduates and alumni.
Discontinuing Student Survey
The Discontinuing Student Survey is targeted to students who have recently withdrawn from the university or who have not enrolled in classes within the last year while still being a registered student. Its intent is to gather information related to why students are leaving the university and where they are going.

It is also used to direct services and support to students who intend to return but face challenges in accomplishing that goal. This survey administered each semester, soon after the add/drop deadline, via direct email.
Drug & Alcohol Survey
The BYU-Idaho Drug & Alcohol Survey is part of the university’s efforts to comply with the federal Drug Free Schools and Campuses Act. Federal regulation requires the university to occasionally collect anonymous data on student usage of alcohol and illicit drugs. It also requires the university to make students aware of campus drug & alcohol policies and campus-based treatment options.

This survey is meant to satisfy those legal requirements. This anonymous survey is administered biennially in Fall semester via direct email. For information on data privacy and protection, visit Protection of Research Data.
Approved Housing Survey
The Approved Housing Survey provides the campus housing office and property owners with information related to students’ experiences in their off-campus housing. This survey is administered semesterly via direct email.
Religious Beliefs & Behaviors Survey
The Religious Beliefs & Behaviors Survey is the main instrument for measuring students' religiosity on campus and helps leaders determine long-term trends in discipleship behavior. This survey is confidential and administered annually in Fall semester via the End of Course survey channel.
Religion Cornerstone Survey
The Religion Cornerstone Survey is a standardized instrument used across the Church Educational System (CES) to determine how well religion courses are meeting their intended outcomes. Responses are confidential. It is administered every semester to students enrolled in any religion course via the End of Course survey channel.

Employee Surveys

October 26, 2023 04:22 PM
The BYU-Idaho Employee Engagement Survey provides university leadership with insights into the work experiences of its employees and provides employees with an opportunity to voice concerns and feedback. This anonymous survey is administered annually in November.
All-Employee Meeting Feedback
This survey is administered after each All-Employee Meeting, which generally occur each semester. It provides leadership with feedback regarding the topics that were discussed in the meeting. It is another opportunity for employees to voice concerns and provide feedback on current strategic initiatives.

Other Institutional Surveys

Ad Hoc Research Projects
October 26, 2023 04:22 PM
Do you need to collect data or feedback from students, faculty, or staff members? If so, the Institutional Research office offers consultations to help you identify the data points that would best meet your needs. We can also help you find appropriate channels to collect the data you’re looking for. To find out more, stop by our offices or contact research@byui.edu.