Institutional planning is coming to the fore in higher education as states, the federal government, and the public increasingly demand accountability. Institutional researchers, the data stewards for colleges and universities, are becoming involved in such strategic planning, supporting efforts to strengthen institutional efficiency and effectiveness in policymaking. Researchers find that locating, preparing, and presenting necessary data and information for planners is a challenging exercise. In this volume, administrators, consultants, researchers, and scholars provide unique, innovative approaches to that challenge. Some authors introduce program applications and statistical techniques; others share case studies. The variety of perspectives and depths of focus make this a time, useful guide for institutional researchers. This is the 137th volume in the Jossey-Bass quarterly report series New Directions for Institutional Research, sponsored by the Association for Institutional Research. Always timely and comprehensive, New Directions for Institutional Research provides planners and administrators in all types of academic institutions with guidelines in such areas as resource coordination, information analysis, program evaluation, and institutional management.