This book presents 11 papers which consider the central issues, methods, and resources for work in institutional research in higher education. The primer uses the idea of a "cookbook" or "manual" for its conceptualization, organization, and format. The chapter topics focus on what are expected to be the key issues facing institutional researchers in the coming years revolving around students and faculty issues, institutional subjects, and methods. Each chapter begins with discussion of the central issues of that topic, progresses through a background literature section to discussion of the data, analysis, and communication issues. Each chapter closes with a brief summary of the central points. Shaded boxes throughout provide starting places in a literature review. The papers are as follows: (1) "Persistence" by Michael F. Middaugh; (2) "Enrollment Management" by Craig Clagett; (3) "Student Impacts" by Jean Endo; (4) "Faculty Demand" by Michael D. McGuire; (5) "Faculty Salaries" by Richard D. Howard and others; (6) "Peer Institutions" by Deborah J. Teeter and Paul T. Brinkman; (7) "Diversity" by Daryl G. Smith; (8) "Environmental Scanning" by James L. Morrison; (9) "Total Quality Management" by Mary Ann Heverly; (10) "Academic Program Review" by Gary R. Hanson and Bridgett R. Price; and (11) "Cost Analysis" by Heather J. Haberaecker. (JB)