Research Questionnaire on Academic Advising

August 1999

 

            Dear Colleague:

           

            Please take a brief moment to complete this survey on faculty perceptions of academic advising. Your participation will make this a successful research project. To encourage a quick response, we will give dinner for two coupons to the first 5 completed surveys we receive.

 

 

 

Survey Procedures and Confidentiality Information:

 

            Your responses to the following questions will help us develop a better understanding of the role academic advising plays within the larger system of the university. You were randomly chosen to receive this questionnaire and your responses will be held in strict confidence. Our mailing list has been coded and both the code and the list will be destroyed at the conclusion of this research. Only the supervising faculty has a copy of the research code. Once your responses have been returned, your identifying number will be removed from the survey.

 

            Your participation in this project is entirely voluntary and has no effect whatsoever on any possible performance evaluation or review. Your answers will be kept confidential and will not be shared. If you have any questions or concerns about this research project you may contact the researcher,  the supervising faculty, or Clarkson University's Office of Research at:

           

            Ms. Cathy Avadikian (researcher)                      Dr. Brenton Faber (supervising faculty)

            University Studies Program                                Department of Technical Communications

            Clarkson University                                           Clarkson University

            Potsdam, NY 13699                                          Potsdam, NY 13699

            Email: avadikic@clarkson.edu               faber@clarkson.edu

            Phone: (315) 268-6571                                       Phone: (315) 268-6466

 

            Dr. Gina Lee-Glauser

            Division of Research

            Box 5630

            Clarkson University

            Potsdam, NY 13699

            Email: leeglaug@clarkson.edu

            Phone: (315) 268-6475

 

Thank you for your assistance.

If you have any questions or comments please do not hesitate to contact us.

 

 


 

Research Questionnaire on Academic Advising

Questionnaire page 1 of 5

 

 

For the purposes of this survey, we define faculty-student academic advising as an activity in which a faculty provides an individual student advice or assistance regarding one or more of the following subjects:

                 academic administrative progress and completion (scheduling, course selection, major/minor requirements)

                 study skills, study habits

                 post-graduation opportunities (career goals, graduate school, professional school)

                 personal difficulties influencing academic progress

 

 

We would like to know the amount of time you spend advising compared to your other responsibilities as a faculty member.

 

1.0           During a typical school year, what percent of your total work time do you spend advising students? (Please circle the appropriate number below)

                0              10            20            30            40            50            60            70            80            90            100

 

1.1           During a typical school year, what percent of your total work time do you spend teaching students? (Please circle the appropriate number below)

                0              10            20            30            40            50            60            70            80            90            100

 

1.2           During a typical school year, what percent of your total work time do you spend on your   research/writing? (Please circle the appropriate number below)

                0              10            20            30            40            50            60            70            80            90            100

 

1.3           What is the average length of time you spend when meeting with a student for advising                     purposes? (Please circle the appropriate number below)

                <15 minutes           15-30 minutes                30-45 minutes                45-60 minutes                >60 minutes

 

1.4           When you meet with students in an advising capacity do you regularly discuss

                (please check all that apply):

                ___student's schedule        (preparation)         ___student's academic progress

                ___potential majors/minors                                               ___future academic plans

                ___career options and planning                                       ___student's personal problems

 

1.5           Of the total time you spend with a student in an advising capacity what percent do you  spend discussing (please indicate % below):

                ___student's schedule                                                        ___student's academic progress

                ___potential majors/minors                                               ___future academic plans

                ___career options and planning                                       ___student's personal problems


 

Research Questionnaire on Academic Advising

Questionnaire page 2 of 5

 

 

We are interested in any training you may have received in academic advising.

 

2.0           On a scale of 0-3 (0=no information learned, 1=marginal information learned, 2=some information learned, 3=significant information learned) please rank any formal training you may have had in academic advising. (For example, a 3 score in "graduate school" indicates that you took formal courses about advising in graduate school).

                ___Graduate school                                                            ___Conference, Workshop

                ___Seminar                                                                           ___Mentor

                ___No training                                                                     ___Other_________________________

 

 

2.1           On a scale of 0-3 (0=no information learned, 1=marginal information learned, 2=some information learned, 3=significant information learned) please rank any informal ways  you learned about academic advising. (For example, a 5 score in "graduate school" indicated that you had informal experiences in graduate school which taught you about academic advising).

                ___Graduate school                                                            ___Conference, Workshop

                ___Seminar                                                                           ___Mentor

                ___On the job                                                                      ___No training

                ___Other_____________________

 

 

2.2           Do you feel you were adequately prepared to become an academic advisor?

                ___not at all                          ___somewhat                       ___moderately     ___very much so

 

 

2.3           Are you required to advise students as part of your job?

                ___yes                   ___no

 

 

2.4           Is there an academic advising center at your school?

                ___yes                   ___no

 

 

2.5           Are there regular advising sessions offered at your school?

                ___yes                   ___no

 

 


Research Questionnaire on Academic Advising

Questionnaire page 3 of 5

 

 

We are interested in any perceived connections between your teaching and your advising.

 

3.0           Do you think your undergraduate classroom teaching: (please check one)

                ___Replaces the need for individual advising?

                ___Is a supplement to individual advising?

                ___Has no relation to individual advising?

 

3.1           Do you think your graduate teaching: (please check one)

                ___Replaces the need for individual advising?

                ___Is a supplement to individual advising?

                ___Has no relation to individual advising?

 

                ___Not applicable, I don't teach graduate students

 

3.2           Do you think your graduate students' research programs: (please check one):

                ___Replace the need for individual advising?

                ___Is a supplement to individual advising?

                ___Has no relation to individual advising?

 

                ___Not applicable, I do not have any graduate student researchers.

 

 

3.3           What role does academic advising play in your:

 

                3.3.0        Tenure Review

                No role   Minor role                                     Moderate role                                               Significant role

 

                3.3.1        Performance evaluations

                No role   Minor role                                     Moderate role                                               Significant role

 

                3.3.2        Salary increases

                No role   Minor role                                     Moderate role                                               Significant role

 

                3.3.3        University/College Awards

                No role   Minor role                                     Moderate role                                               Significant role

 

 


Research Questionnaire on Academic Advising

Questionnaire page 4 of 5

 

 

We are interested in your perceptions about academic advising and student success.

 

4.0           On a scale of 0-3 (0=no influence, 1=marginal influence, 2=some influence, 3=significant influence) please rate the influence you believe your academic advising has on your students'

 

4.0.1        Academic Performance

                0                                              1                                              2                                              3                     

 

4.0.2        Career Success

                0                                              1                                              2                                              3                     

 

4.0.3        Personal Lives

                0                                              1                                              2                                              3                     

 

 

 

Please tell us a little bit about yourself:

 

5.0           Faculty Rank:                        _____Instructor                                           _____Assistant Professor

                                                                _____Associate Professor                        _____Full Professor

 

5.1           Years at current school:      _____<5                                _____5-10

                                                                _____10-20                           _____>20

 

5.2           Years on faculty (total)       _____<5                                _____5-10

                                                                _____10-20                           _____>20

 

Thank you for your insights. Would you be willing to be interviewed about your academic advising experiences? This would require approximately a one-half hour interview.

 

                                                                ___yes (please fill out information on next page)

                                                                ___no thanks

 

Please return survey in the attached self-addressed, stamped, envelope. Thank you.

 

 


Research Questionnaire on Academic Advising

 

Yes, I am willing to be interviewed about my academic advising experiences.

 

(To preserve the confidentiality of the survey, this page will be detached from the survey before your survey responses are recorded)

 

 

Name___________________________________________________________

 

Address__________________________________________________________

 

Phone:_______________        Email:___________________________________

 

I would prefer to be interviewed (please check one)

 

_____ in person

 

_____ by phone

 

_____ via email