Best Practices for Research Analytics and Business Intelligence Within the Research Domain

The purpose of this research proposal is to explore best practices in the use of data analytics, business intelligence, and data-driven decision making for operations and strategic growth within the research domain. There has been an explosion in the use of data to inform decision making throughout business, industry, and higher education. However, based on a review of sessions offered at professional association meetings (NCURA, SRAI, NORDP, etc.) it seems as though the use of such tools and methods within the higher education research domain are still in their infancy. Some institutions are ahead of the game and have deployed sophisticated analytic tools and data science methodologies that are used in their decision-making process. The focus of this research project is to identify best practices in how universities use data analytics and data tools to drive their strategic agendas, create efficiency in operations, and promote complex research proposals throughout their institutions. Data analytics include the use of dashboards, network analysis, bibliometrics, and similar analysis to drive strategic priorities and decision making on campus. This project will bring together a variety of practitioners across the United States to discuss different ways to use data analytics and tools to shape the work they do on their campuses to drive their research success. These best practices can be used to help inform other institutions on the importance of a data-driven culture within research administration; best practices on how the use of tools, metrics, and analytics can impact research development, performance, and multi-disciplinary approaches; and a framework for success in deploying a data-driven culture in an increasingly competitive landscape.