This page provides an (alphabetical) overview of major surveys conducted recently at Washington University. The last section of this page offers advice to those who may be considering collecting data using a survey.
Table of Contents – click on a link for further information on each survey below
Alumni Survey
Population surveyed:
Alumni of WU’s undergraduate programs, usually those one, five, and ten years out.
When conducted:
About every four years; most recently in 2017 and 2013.
Next wave is planned for fall 2020.
History and context:
Conducted in collaboration with peer universities.
Survey instruments:
Alumni Survey Instrument, Recent Graduates, 2017
Alumni Survey Instrument, 5 & 10 year, 2017
Alumni Survey Instrument, Recent Graduates, 2013
Alumni Survey Instrument, 5 & 10 year, 2013
For more information contact Lisa Wiland, Director of Institutional Research, lisa.wiland@wustl.edu
Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct
Population surveyed:
Undergraduate and graduate students.
When conducted:
In the spring of 2019 and the spring of 2015.
History and context:
Conducted in collaboration with peer universities.
Survey instruments:
The 2015 survey instrument is here.
The 2019 survey instrument is here.
Results:
The complete 2015 report and appendices for Washington University in St. Louis is here.
The AAU page describing the 2019 survey is here.
The AAU page describing the 2015 survey is here.
For more information contact Lisa Wiland, Director of Institutional Research, lisa.wiland@wustl.edu
College Prescription Drug Survey
Population surveyed:
Undergraduate students.
When conducted:
Spring, 2018.
For more information contact Amanda Hoylman, Assistant Director Health Promotion Services, Habif Health & Wellness Center, ahoylman@wustl.edu
Diversity Engagement Survey
Population surveyed:
Faculty and staff on the Danforth and Medical school campuses, and school of medicine students, residents, fellows, and postdoctoral associates on the Medical campus.
When conducted:
In 2014 and 2017.
History and context:
An advertising flyer by the vendor that created the survey is here.
Results:
Results for the 2017 wave of this survey can be found here.
For more information contact Apryle Cotton, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Human Resources, apryle.cotton@wustl.edu.
Doctoral Exit Survey
Population surveyed:
Graduating doctoral students.
When conducted:
January, May, and December.
Survey instruments:
Doctoral Exit Survey Instrument
For more information contact Lisa Wiland, Director of Institutional Research, lisa.wiland@wustl.edu
ECAR (Educause Center for Analysis and Research) Study of Undergraduates and Technology
Population surveyed:
Undergraduate students.
When conducted:
In 2016.
For more information contact Lisa Wiland, Director of Institutional Research, lisa.wiland@wustl.edu
Faculty Work Life Survey
Population surveyed:
Full time faculty, and Med campus part time faculty with voting rights.
When conducted:
About every four years, most recently in 2019, 2015, and 2011.
Survey instruments:
The 2019 survey instrument is here.
The 2015 survey instrument is here.
Results:
Reports from the 2015 Washington University Work Life Survey are here.
Reports from the 2011 Washington University Work Life Survey are here.
For more information contact Lisa Wiland, Director of Institutional Research, lisa.wiland@wustl.edu
IT Service Quality TechQual+ Survey
Population surveyed:
Faculty, students, and staff.
When conducted:
Alternate years. Most recently in spring 2018 and spring 2016.
Survey instruments:
The core elements of the survey can be seen here.
Results:
Results from the 2016 administration of this survey can be found here.
For more information contact Washington University Information Technology Customer Relation Management Team, washuitcrm@wustl.edu
Mosaic Project Campus Climate Survey
Population surveyed:
Undergraduate and graduate students.
When conducted:
In 2014.
Results:
Results for undergraduates are here.
Results for graduate and professional school students are here.
Contact the Center for Diversity & Inclusion, diversityandinclusion@wustl.edu
National College Health Assessment (NCHA)
Population surveyed:
Undergraduate and graduate students.
When conducted:
In 2017, and in 2013.
Survey instruments:
The NCHA survey instrument is here.
Cheri LeBlanc, Director of Student Health and Wellness, Habif Health & Wellness Center, cleblanc@wustl.edu
Parent Survey
Population surveyed:
Parents of enrolled undergraduates.
When conducted:
About every four years; most recently in 2016 and 2012.
History and context:
Conducted in collaboration with highly selective peer institutions.
Survey instruments:
Parent Survey Instrument, 2016
Parent Survey Instrument, 2012
For more information contact Lisa Wiland, Director of Institutional Research, lisa.wiland@wustl.edu
PULSE Survey
Population surveyed:
Undergraduate students.
When conducted:
Spring of odd-numbered years.
History and context:
Conducted in collaboration with peer universities.
Survey instruments:
PULSE Survey Instrument, 2019
PULSE Survey Instrument, 2017
PULSE Survey Instrument, 2015
PULSE Survey Instrument, 2013
For more information contact Lisa Wiland, Director of Institutional Research, lisa.wiland@wustl.edu
Residential Life Survey
Population surveyed:
Undergraduates in on-campus housing.
When conducted:
Annually in the spring.
For more information contact Rob Wild, Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, rob.wild@wustl.edu
Senior Survey
Population surveyed:
Graduating seniors.
When conducted:
Spring of even-numbered years.
In 2020, in response to the unusual situation caused by COVID-19 and the University’s alternate operations, this survey was cancelled. We plan to conduct it next in 2022.
History and context:
Conducted in collaboration with peer universities.
Survey instruments:
Senior Survey Instrument, 2018
Senior Survey Instrument, 2016
Senior Survey Instrument, 2014
Senior Survey Instrument, 2012
For more information contact Lisa Wiland, Director of Institutional Research, lisa.wiland@wustl.edu
Student Technology Services
Population surveyed:
Undergraduates in on-campus housing.
When conducted:
Annually in the spring.
For more information contact Sherry Holmes, Director, Student Technology Services, sholmes@wustl.edu
Your Survey Here
Before you consider fielding a survey at Washington University, please ask yourself whether a survey is the best way to get the information you need. Think about these questions first:
- Might the data you need already be available from another source at Washington University? Possible resources include previous surveys, but also administratively collected and maintained data for students, faculty, and staff. Have you read the reports of analyses already completed on the topic area you intend to investigate? Could your goals be met by analyzing data that exists rather than starting from scratch to collect new data?
- Can you clearly articulate what you want to find out, and what you want to do with that information? In other words, is there a decision that you are about to make that you believe you could make better if you had data? What data would inform that decision, and how?
- Do you understand the difference between a survey that is anonymous, and a survey that is confidential? Do you know the challenges and pitfalls of each? Which will best serve your purpose and why? How do you plan to meet the challenges presented by the approach you have chosen?
- Do you have the resources, software, expertise, and time to analyze the data you would collect if you fielded a survey?
- How will you report your results to the Washington University community once your analyses are complete?