The data files are generated from NIC's student information system. The list of students that are grouped together and analyzed has been generated using two different data file sets over the course of our data collection.  Initially, we had access to only the End of Term Student Files. Starting in Fall 2000, we began to also have access to the 10th Day Files.

The following definitions refer to the terminology used in describing the data files.

Key: Unique identifier in a data file that corresponds to that same identifier in other files so that the information from both files can be combined.

Live data: Data files that are generated at any time making it difficult to make comparisons to other data files, but can be valuable for a "snapshot" view of the information.

Point in time data: Data files that are generated at a given time; they then can be compared with each other.  

Cohort: A specific category of students that are compiled into a group, An often used group defined in research is the cohort of Full-Time, First-Time, Degree Seeking Students.

Full-Time, First-Time, Degree Seeking Students: Students who are degree/certificate-seeking, never attended any postsecondary school and who are enrolled full-time.  Full-time is defined as taking 12 or more credits.  The Full-time, First-Time, Degree Seeking Students for a given fall semester includes those qualifying students from both that fall semester and the prior summer.  This definition is from Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) which is a national data collections program.

Graduates: Students who have obtained a degree.  Only the first degree attained is reflected in these reports; the degree can indicate an AS, AA, AAS or a certificate.

Transferred: Students who have transferred from North Idaho College to other institutions of higher education as reported by the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC). 

List of Data Files

End of Term Course File: Contains information about each course and the RimID of each student enrolled.

Degree File:  Contains information about what degrees were awarded.

End of Term Student File: Contains information about each student, including term specific information.

10th Day Files: Contains information about each student, including term specific information.  It is identical to the End of Term Student File,  just a different point in time.

North Idaho College, Office of Institutional Planning, Assessment & Research
Author: Ann Lewis
Last Updated: 02/27/2006