Assessment
Institutional SurveysInstitutional Surveys
The Office of Planning, Assessment, and Institutional Research (OPAIR) supports large-scale institutional surveys that focus on issues of strategic importance to Penn State.
Surveys Supported by OPAIR
OPAIR typically assists with surveys that meet all the following criteria:
- Sponsored or co-sponsored by Office of the President, Office of the Provost, or multiple unit executives
- Implemented across multiple Penn State locations
- Closely linked to institutional-level priorities as described in Penn State’s strategic plan or by the President or Provost
Surveys Not Supported by OPAIR
OPAIR does not generally support:
- Surveys limited to a single unit or small group
- Individual faculty or student research projects (unless sponsored by University leadership due to institutional significance)
- Requests for contact lists for survey projects that do not meet the criteria listed above
Minimum Survey Response Rate Policy
To protect data quality and ensure appropriate use of survey results for institutional decision-making, OPAIR has established a minimum response rate policy, effective Spring 2026: Institutional surveys supported by OPAIR must meet a minimum response rate of 10% of the invited population. Surveys that do not meet this threshold will be flagged as invalid for institutional reporting or inference, and results will not be released or reported by OPAIR.
Survey Calendar
OPAIR maintains a centralized Institutional Survey Calendar to coordinate survey timing, reduce survey fatigue, and support higher response rates. Large-scale surveys should be submitted for inclusion on the calendar at least three months prior to administration.
Survey Resources
Additional Survey Resources
For questions about institutional surveys, response rate standards, or survey planning, please contact OPAIR at opair.surveys@psu.edu.