Surveys & Results
Survey research is one of the methods that the university uses to systematically examine contexts that affect teaching and learning. All research conducted in our office is IRB approved and follows strict guidelines to ensure ethical treatment of participants. Although we share survey results as broadly as possible, findings are never reported in such a way that might compromise student confidentiality.
Institutional Effectiveness conducts a number of internally and externally developed surveys related to student attitudes and perceptions. Below is a listing of each survey with a brief description and links to any available reports.
If you have questions about the administration or data, please email Nikki Connors or call 540-231-1437. If you have questions about data visualizations, please email Cesur Dagli.
This locally developed survey is administered annually to all graduating seniors. The survey was updated in 2021. The updated survey asks graduating seniors about their experience within their major, academics, advising, skills and abilities, their experience at Virginia Tech, and their plans after college, as well as demographic information, including major, minor, gender, and ethnicity.
Prior to 2021, the senior survey gathered student perceptions of courses within the major, faculty within the major, academic advising, opportunities within the major, technology within the major, and preparation within the major. Additionally, data on the knowledge, skills, and abilities provided by the university, satisfaction with student services, and demographic information such as major, minor, gender, and ethnicity were also collected.
Virginia Tech's Survey of Incoming Freshmen is a locally developed survey used by the university for many years. The instrument asks for students' perceptions of their high school experiences and their beliefs about what they will experience at VT. In 2021, Institutional Effectiveness developed an interactive visualization that highlights important insights about the incoming freshmen class.
The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) is designed to obtain information from colleges and universities nationwide about student participation in programs and activities that institutions provide for their learning and professional development. The survey asks students to rate their level of participation in activities that have been shown to relate to academic and personal development, along with the number of hours preparing for classes, working for pay, and providing care for dependents. Questions also focus on mental activities (memorization, synthesis, analysis) in which they engage as well as relationships with others and perceptions of their overall collegiate experience.