Increasing demands for accountability from both the public and the government have resulted in increasing pressure for higher education professionals to use data to support their choices. There is significant speculation that professionals at all levels of education lack the knowledge to implement data-driven decision making. However, empirical studies regarding whether or not professionals at four-year postsecondary institutions are utilizing data to guide programmatic and policy decisions are lacking. The purpose of this exploratory study was to explore the knowledge and habits of undergraduate admission professionals at four-year colleges and universities regarding their use of data in decision making. A survey instrument was disseminated and, the data collected from the instrument provided empirical information, which serves as the basis for a discussion about what specific knowledge admission professionals at four-year institutions possess and how they use data in their decision making. The instrument disseminated was designed specifically for this study. Therefore, before the research questions were addressed, Rasch analysis was utilized to evaluate the validity and reliability of the survey instrument. Data was then used to determine that undergraduate admission professionals perceived themselves as using data in their decision making. The results also indicated admission professionals feel confident in their ability to interpret and use data to in their decision making.

The use of data to drive or inform the decision making process is gaining traction in education. In response to the data driven decision making shift, an emerging group of scholars are beginning to discuss how the data movement in education may be viewed using a critical race theory (CRT) framework. With a focus on implications for racial equity, this study explores the ways and to what degree data are valued or practically applied in the decision making process in Manitoba. Participants for this qualitative research study include ten Manitoban school superintendents. Drawing attention to the ways in which data-driven practices like all other practice in education, are not neutral acts, this study looks to contribute to the growing research area on Canadian data-driven decision making and CRT. Findings from this study indicate that school divisions in the province of Manitoba are increasingly driven by data that privileges Western or colonial ways of knowing. Some recommendations for further research include, using achievement data to resist racial oppression, exploring the dangers of Gap Talk, and looking at whether data literacy includes notions of power and privilege. / February 2017

Monitoring academic progress to guide instructional practices is an important role of teachers in a small rural school district in the Southern United States. Teachers in this region were experiencing difficulties using the approved school district model to implement data-driven instruction. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to identify elementary- and middle-level teachers' perceptions about using the Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) model to analyze data in the classroom and use it to inform classroom instruction. Bambrick-Santoyo's principles for effective data-driven instruction was the conceptual framework that guided this study. The research questions were focused on teachers' perceptions of and experiences with the PDSA. A purposeful sampling was used to recruit 8 teachers from Grades 3-9 and their insights were captured through semistructured interviews, reflective journals, and document analyses of data walls. Emergent themes were identified through an open coding process, and trustworthiness was secured through triangulation and member checking. The themes were about using data to assess students, creating lessons, and collaborating with colleagues. The three findings revealed that elementary- and middle-level teachers acknowledge PDSA as an effective tool for guiding student learning, that teachers rely on assessment data, and that teachers need on-going collaborative engagement with their colleagues when using the PDSA. This study has implications for positive social change by providing a structure for improving classroom instructional practices and engaging teachers in more collaborative practices.

Despite the importance an urban school district places on data-driven decision-making (DDDM) to drive instruction, implementation continues to remain a challenge. The purpose of this study was to investigate how support systems affected the implementation of DDDM to drive instructional practices in three urban schools that recently transitioned from priority or focus to good standing on the State Accountability Report. The study aligned with the organizational supports conceptual framework with an emphasis on data accessibility, collection methods, reliability and validity, the use of coaches and data teams, professional development, and data-driven leaders. Through the collection of qualitative data from one-on-one interviews, the research questions asked about the perspectives on data culture and data driven instructional practices of three school leaders and nine teachers. The data were triangulated to generate a thematic illustration of content that was coded and analyzed to identify solid patterns and themes. Findings suggest that leaders create a data-driven school culture by establishing a school-wide vision, developing a DDDM cycle, creating a collaborative DDDM support system, communicating data as a school community, and changing the way technology is used in DDDM initiatives. Based on the findings, a project in the form of a white paper was developed, using research to support that when data is regularly used to hone student skills, a positive shift in overall teacher practices occurs. This shift provides the potential for positive social change when students have opportunities to attain academic goals, resulting in increased student achievement and higher graduation rates.

本研究旨在探討高中職校長資訊使用環境對資料導向決策之影響，剖析不同背景變項與學校變項知覺高中職校長資訊使用環境與資料導向決策的差異情形，探討資訊使用環境對資料導向決策的關係，並根據研究結論，提出建議供有關單位參考。為達上述研究目的，本研究採用問卷調查法，以全國513 所高中職校長為研究對象，共寄發問卷327 份，回收有效問卷272 份，有效回收率為83.18％。本研究採用SPSS 18.0 for Windows 和LISREL 8.80 統計套裝軟體進行分析，獲得以下結論： 一、高中職校長知覺資訊使用環境和資料導向決策為中高程度。 二、不同性別、年齡、校長年資、學校規模和學校歷史之高中職校長在知覺資訊使用環境及運用資料導向決策上，並無顯著差異。 三、不同學校類別之高中職校長運用資料導向決策上，沒有顯著差異。 四、不同教育程度之校長知覺資訊使用環境及運用資料導向決策上，具有顯著差異。 五、不同學校類別之校長知覺資訊使用環境上，具有顯著差異。 六、不同學校歸屬之校長知覺資訊使用環境及運用資料導向決策上，具有顯著差異。 七、本研究建構之模式經過結構方程模式檢定獲得支持，高中職校長資訊使用環境對資料導向決策具有正向顯著的影響。 最後依據上述研究結論，提出具體建議，以作為教育行政機關、高中職校長行政參考運用。 關鍵詞：資訊使用環境、資料導向決策 / This study aims to discuss the effects of the information use environment of high school principals on data-driven decision-making. This study analyzed variables with different backgrounds and school-related variables to perceive the different situations of the information use environment of high school principals and their data-driven decision-making, and discussed the relationship between information use environment and data-driven decision-making. Based on the results, suggestions are proposed for relevant departments as the references. To achieve the research purposes, the study adopted questionnaire survey, and treated 513 high school principals as the research subjects. A total of 327 questionnaires were distributed, and 272 effective samples were retrieved, with a valid return rate of 83.18%. Data were analyzed using SPSS 18.0 for Windows and LISREL 8.80. The results are as follows: 1. The perception level of the information use environment of the principals and their data-driven decision-making are medium-high. 2. The gender, age, seniority, school size or school history of the principals makes no significant difference of the perception of the information use environment of the principals and their application of data-driven decision-making. 3. Among the principals of different school types, there is no significant difference of the principals’ application of data-driven decision-making. 4. Among the principals with different educational levels, there are significant differences of the perception of the information use environment of the principals as well as their application of data-driven decision-making. 5. Among the principals of different school types, there are significant differences of the perception of the information use environment of the principals. 6. Among the principals from different schools, there are significant differences of the perception of the information use environment of the principals and their application of data-driven decision-making. 7. The study was verified by Structural Equation Modeling and the effects of the information use environment of the high school principals on data-driven decision-making appear to be positive and significant. Based on results, the study provides practical suggestions as the administrative references and application for educational and administrative departments, as well as high school principals. Keywords: information use environment, data-driven decision-making

本研究旨在探討新北市國民中學資訊使用環境與資料導向決策的現況，剖析不同背景變項與學校變項知覺資訊使用環境與資料導向決策的差異情形，探討資訊使用環境對資料導向決策的關係，並根據研究結論，提出建議供有關單位參考。為達上述研究目的，本研究採用問卷調查法，以新北市95所國民中學之主任、組長為研究對象，共寄發問卷568份，回收有效問卷468份，有效回收率為82.39％。本研究採用SPSS 17.0 for Windows和LISREL 8.80統計套裝軟體進行分析，獲得以下結論： 一、新北市國民中學行政人員知覺資訊使用環境、資料導向決策為中高 程度。 二、學校規模、學校歷史、學校屬性對行政人員在知覺資訊使用環境 與資料導向決策，沒有顯著差異。 三、男性行政人員知覺資訊使用環境高於女性行政人員，男性行政人員 知覺資料導向決策高於女性行政人員。 四、年齡對行政人員知覺資訊使用環境有顯著差異；對知覺資料導向決 策，則無顯著差異。 五、具有研究所教育程度之行政人員知覺資訊使用環境和資料導向決策 高於大學教育程度之行政人員。 六、服務年資越短之行政人員在知覺資訊使用環境高於服務年資越長之行 政人員；服務年資對知覺資料導向決策沒有差異。 七、任職不同處室行政人員知覺資訊使用環境整體及各層面均無顯著差 異，任職總務處行政人員知覺資料導向決策高於教務處、學務處、輔 導處。 八、資訊使用環境對資料導向決策具有正向且顯著的影響。 最後依據上述研究結論，提出具體建議，以作為教育行政機關、國中學校行政及未來研究參考運用。 關鍵詞：資訊使用環境、資料導向決策 / The purpos of this study are to explore the current situation of junior high schools’ information use environment and data-driven decision-making, analyze the different background variables and school variables on the different perception of information use environment and data-driven decision-making, discuss the relationship between information use environment and data-driven decision-making, and propose recommendations to relevant institutions based on the research conclusions. To achieve these purposes, this study used the questionnaire survey method, and the directors and administrative heads from 95 junior high schools in New Taipei City were chosen as the subjects for this study. A total of 568 questionnaires were distributed, and resulted in 468 valid return questionnaires. The effective rate was 82.39%. Then, for this study, SPSS 17.0 for Windows and LISREL 8.80 statistical software were used for analysis and the following conclusions were obtained: 1.The level of school administrators’ perception of information use environment and data-driven decision-making is ranked mid to high level. 2.The school size, school history and school classification have no significant affect on the administrators’ perception of information use environment and data-driven decision-making. 3.Male administrators have a higher level of perception of information use environment than female administrators. Male administrators also have a higher level of perception of data-driven decision-making than female administrators. 4.The age of the administrators significantly affects the level of their perception of information use environment, but does not significantly affect the level of their perception of data-driven decision-making. 5.Administrators with graduate school education levels have a higher level of perception on information use environment and data-driven decision-making than administrators with only college degree education levels. 6.Administrators with shorter terms of service have higher levels of perception on information use environment than administrators with longer terms of service. However, the terms of service had no significant effect on the administrators’ level of perception of data-driven decision-making. 7.There is no significant difference in different administration offices in the level of perception of information use environment, but the level of perception of data-driven decision-making in the administrators of the office of general affairs is higher than those of the office of academic affairs, student affairs and counselors’ office. 8.Information use environment has a significant and positive impact on data-driven decision-making. Finally, based on the above research conclusions, specific recommendations are proposed and submitted as references and applications for educational administration institutions, junior high school administration offices and future research. Keywords: information use environment, data-driven decision-making

本研究旨在探討國民中學校長資訊使用環境對資料導向決策之影響，並了解校長個人背景是否分別對其資訊使用環境及資料導向決策之實踐造成差異，並根據研究結論，提出建議供有關單位參考。為達上述研究目的，本研究採用問卷調查法，針對臺灣地區北部與中部九縣市（宜蘭縣、基隆市、臺北市、新北市、桃園縣、新竹縣、新竹市、苗栗縣、臺中市）公立國民中學校長為研究對象，採普查方式進行。共寄發問卷357份，回收有效問卷292份，有效回收率為 81.8％。本研究採用 SPSS 17.0 for Windows和AMOS 7.0統計套裝軟體進行分析，獲得以下結論： 一、臺灣地區北部與中部九縣市公立國民中學校長資訊使用環境的運作情形與資料導向決策的運用頻率，均為中高程度。 二、不同性別、主任經歷、教育程度、學校規模、學校歷史、學校地區之校長在資訊使用環境的運作情形上，沒有顯著差異。 三、不同主任經歷、年齡、校長年資、學校歷史、學校地區之校長在資料導向決策的運用頻率上，沒有顯著差異。 四、不同性別、教育程度之校長在合作夥伴關係與區域政治領導此一構面的知覺上有差異。 五、不同年齡、教育程度、校長年資、學校規模之校長在資料分析技巧此一構面的知覺上有差異。 六、不同學校規模之校長在學校願景領導、學校教學領導此二構面的知覺上有差異。 七、本研究建構之模式經過結構方程模式檢定獲得支持，校長資訊環境對資料導向決策具有正向顯著的影響。 最後依據上述研究結論，提出具體建議，以做為教育行政機關、國民中學學校行政參考運用。 / This study aimed to explore the current situation of the junior high schools’ principals’ influence of information use environments on data-driven decision-making, to analyze the perception of information use environments and data-driven decision-making, to analyze different background variables and school variables’ on the different perception of information use environments on data-driven decision-making, and to discuss the effect of information use environments on data-driven decision-making. Based on the research conclusions, the specific recommendations were proposed for the relevant institutions for references. To achieve these purposes, this study used questionnaire survey method. The principals of public junior high schools in the middle and the northern Taiwan, including Ilan County, Keelung County, Taipei City, New Taipei City, Taoyung County, Hsinchu County , Hsinchu City, Maoli County,and Taichung City, as the study objects. A total of 357 questionnaires were distributed, with 292 valid questionnaires. The effective rate was 81.8%. In this study, SPSS 17.0 for Windows and AMOS 7.0 statistical software were used for analysis and obtained the following conclusions: 1. The rate of the operation of information use environments and data-driven decision-making is high. 2. There is no significant difference in different gender, the directors’ experience, education level, school size, school history and school location in principals’ information use environments. 3. There is no significant difference in different ages, directors’ experience, principal serving years, school history and school location in principals’ data-driven decision-making. 4. There are significant differences in different gender and education level in the perception of principals’ leadership in collaborative partnerships and larger-context politics. 5. There are significant differences in different age, education level, principal severing year and school size in data analysis skills. 6. There are significant differences in different school size in principal’s leadership in school vision and leadership in school instruction. 7. The model constructed in this study was supported through structural equation modeling test. Information use environments of principals have a significant positive impact on data-driven decision- making. Finally, based on the above research conclusions, specific recommendations were proposed as references and applications for educational administration and junior high school administration.

本研究旨在探討臺北市國民中學行政人員資訊使用環境與資料導向決策的現況，分析在不同個人背景變項與學校環境變項下行政人員知覺資訊使用環境與資料導向決策的差異情形，並探討資訊使用環境對資料導向決策的關係，根據研究結果，提出建議供有關單位參考。 為達上述研究目的，本研究採用問卷調查法，以臺北市37所公立國民中學之行政人員（主任、組長）為研究對象，共寄發問卷471份，回收有效問卷420份，有效回收率為89.1％。本研究採用SPSS 17.0 for Windows和LISREL 8.80統計套裝軟體進行分析，獲得以下結論： 一、臺北市國民中學行政人員知覺資訊使用環境與資料導向決策為中高程度。 二、男性行政人員知覺資訊使用環境與資料導向決策均高於女性行政人員。 三、不同年齡、服務年資、行政年資之行政人員在知覺資訊使用環境與資料導 向決策上沒有顯著差異。 四、教育程度碩士（含四十學分班）及以上之學歷的行政人員，在資訊使用環 境與資料導向決策上均高於學士學歷之行政人員。 五、任職不同處室之行政人員知覺資訊使用環境上沒有顯著差異，任職教務處 行政人員知覺資料導向決策高於總務處。 六、學校規模為大型（49班以上）之行政人員知覺資訊使用環境高於25~48班 規模之學校，不同學校規模之行政人員知覺資料導向決策則無顯著差異。 七、學校歷史30年以下行政人員知覺資訊使用環境高於學校歷史31年~60年， 亦高於學校歷史61~90年；在知覺資料導向決策上，學校歷史30年以下與 學校歷史31~60年高於學校歷史61~90年。 八、資訊使用環境對資料導向決策具有正向且顯著的影響。 最後依據上述研究結論，提出具體建議，以作為教育行政機關、國中現職行政人員參考運用。 關鍵詞：資訊使用環境、資料導向決策 / This study aimed to explore the current situation of Taipei City junior high schools’ information use evironment and data-driven decision-making, analyze the different background variables and school variables on the different perception of information use environment and data-driven decision-making, and propose recommendations to relevant institutions based on the research conclusions. To achieve these purposes, this study used the questionnaire survey method, and the directors and administrative heads from 37 junior high schools in Taipei City were chosen as the subjects for the study. A total of 471 questionnaires were distributed, and resulted in 420 valid return questionnaires. The effective rate was 89.1%. Then, for this study, SPSS 17.0 for Windows and LISREL 8.80 statistical software used for analysis and the following conclusions were obtained: 1.The level of Taipei City junior high school administrators’ perception of information use environment and data-driven decision-making is ranked mid to high level. 2.Male administrators have a higher ability of perception of information use environment than female administrators. Male administrators also have a higher ability of perception of data-driven decision-making than female administrators. 3.There is no significant difference in different ages, teacher’s year, recent working years in administrators’ perception of information use environment and data-driven decision-making. 4.Administrators with graduate school education levels have a higher level on perception of information use environment and data-dirven decision-making than administrators with only college degree education levels. 5.There is no significant different in different administration offices in the ability of perception of information use environment, but the ability of perception of the administrators in the academic affair office for data-driven decision-making is better than those in general affair office. 6.Administrators who serve in schools with more than 49 classes show a higher level of involvement in information use environment than administrators from institutions that have 25 classes to 48 classes. The ability of perception of the administrators in the school size for data-driven decision-making has no significant different. 7.Administrators at the school history of less than 30 years, their perception on information use environment is performed better than schools with a history 31 years to 60 years and schools with a history 61 years to 90 years. Administrators at the school history of less than 30 years and school with a history 31 years to 60 years, their perception of data-driven decision-making is perfomed better than schools with a history 61 years to 90 years. 8.Information use environment has a significant and positive impact on data-driven decision-making. Finally, based on the above research conclusions, the specific recommendations were proposed as references and applications for educational administration and junion high school administration. Keywords: information use environment, data-driven decision- making

abstract: Data and the use of data to make educational decisions have attained new-found prominence in K-12 education following the inception of high-stakes testing and subsequent linking of teacher evaluations and teacher-performance pay to students' outcomes on standardized assessments. Although the research literature suggested students' academic performance benefits were derived from employing data-informed decision making (DIDM), many educators have not felt efficacious about implementing and using DIDM practices. Additionally, the literature suggested a five-factor model of teachers' efficacy and anxiety with respect to using DIDM practices: (a) identification of relevant information, (b) interpretation of relevant information, (c) application of interpretations of data to their classroom practices, (d) requisite technological skills, and (e) comfort with data and statistics. This action research study was designed to augment a program of support focused on DIDM, which was being offered at a K-8 charter school in Arizona. It sought to better understand the relation between participation in professional development (PD) modules and teachers' self-efficacy for using DIDM practices. It provided an online PD component, in which 19 kindergarten through 8th-grade teachers worked through three self-guided online learning modules, focused sequentially on (a) identification of relevant student data, (b) interpretation of relevant student data, and (c) application of interpretations of data to classroom practices. Each module concluded with an in-person reflection session, in which teachers shared artifacts they developed based on the modules, discussed challenges, shared solutions, and considered applications to their classrooms. Results of quantitative data from pre- and post-intervention assessments, suggested the intervention positively influenced participants' self-efficacy for (a) identifying and (b) interpreting relevant student data. Qualitative results from eight semi-structured interviews conducted at the conclusion of the intervention indicated that teachers, regardless of previous experience using data, viewed DIDM favorably and were more able to find and draw conclusions from their data than they were prior to the intervention. The quantitative and qualitative data exhibited complementarity pointing to the same conclusions. The discussion focused on explaining how the intervention influenced participants' self-efficacy for using DIDM practices, anxiety around using DIDM practices, and use of DIDM practices. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Leadership and Innovation 2017

There is an increasing pressure on service firms to innovate and compete on new offerings. As our lives become more digitized through the ubiquitous connectivity by the usage of digital devices, companies are now able to collect vast amount of various data in real-time, and thus, know radically more about their customers. Companies could leverage on this growing body of data and developing relevant services based on customer demands accordingly. One industry compelled to benefit by utilizing customer information is the telecom industry due to fierce competition and a need of innovation in a saturated market. Hence, the purpose of this study is to investigate how telecom companies use customer information in their development process of new services by answering the research question: How do telecom companies use customer information within their New Service Development process? To illuminate this, a qualitative research was conducted on three Swedish telecom companies. The findings indicate that telecom companies possess a beneficial position since they are able to collect a vast amount of data about their customers due to the digital nature of their services. However, they struggle to efficiently integrate the data and seamlessly disseminate the obtained knowledge internally. Hence, leveraging customer information in new service development has not reached its full potential and how well it is incorporated is determined by the skills of key employees and their collaboration rather than deployed internal processes.