SDSU Data Glossary:About
The SDSU Data Glossary serves as a comprehensive resource for understanding and interpreting the numerous data elements found within SDSU dashboards and reports. Multi-format guidance on how to use it is available on the “How to Use This Glossary” page.
This glossary provides:
- Definitions
- Business Rules
- Logical Transformations / Calculations
- Example Values / Example Scenarios in Which the Data Element is used
- Dashboards and Reports in Which the Data Element Appears
- Definition Sources and References
The glossary came about from our CSU Analytics Certificate Project, stating the need for a more user friendly and comprehensive glossary related to data terms. We researched others who had done this and modeled our Proof of Concept after Monterey Bay, who had done the legwork. The glossary aims to provide clarity and consistency in terminology and is designed to centralize the location of definitions and provide equitable access to these terms and concepts to meet the need for a campus-wide shared language and understanding of SDSU data elements and concepts.
Using the CSU Analytics Certificate Project to frame our goals, we heavily collaborated with CSUMB on wiki development and set up. For the elements themselves, we conducted a thorough search across SDSU Dashboards & Reports on the Tableau Server and ASIR website to identify relevant data elements for compilation into an ASIR Glossary Data Element List. We organized columns for data element definitions, business rules, examples, where the element appears, related definitions, definition sources, and references. We conducted research on the data elements through resources such as IPEDS, APDB, ERS, and the CSU Glossary. From there, we built up our wiki by creating individual pages, validating the data, and testing wiki features to optimize user experience. Glossary updates and maintenance are incorporated into every census, end of term, and new dashboard creation.
The glossary aims to provide clarity and consistency in terminology and is designed to centralize the location of definitions and provide equitable access to these terms and concepts to meet the need for a campus-wide shared language and understanding of SDSU data elements and concepts.