The common definitions and linkages across the files in the system also produce a more comprehensive picture of higher education. The same source of data is used for Federal reports, State reports, and Commission analyses. . Flexibility of the information collected so that the Commission can be more responsive to new policy questions and issues. Ability to link diverse files so that a report or analysis can be understood within the total postsecondary education context. . Common data definitions provide for file and field consistency.
All institutions use the same basis for categorizing each student.
The reports are less susceptible to subjective interpretations of definitions and allow comparative analyses among various student groups. . Simplification of error correction since the inclusion of a student identification number allows a record with an error to be updated. This is preferable to an operating procedure of replacing the whole file when an error is identified. . Trend reports and student profiles by subgroups are possible due to inclusion of the necessary data elements and of a student identification number . . Consolidation of multiple data requests into primary file requests alleviates some of the data collection burden placed on institutions.