A study was done on the variation in characteristics, roles, and functions of institutional research professionals affiliated with the Southern Association for Institutional Research (SAIR). The study examined professional role identity, location of offices in the organizational hierarchy, breadth of institutional research activities undertaken, and perceived levels of satisfaction with various activities. Respondents (110 out of 240) to a survey provided demographic data and information on degrees of institutional research activity, location of research office in organizational structure, and individual to whom the respondent reported. Respondents also described other professional development activities and other job related responsibilities. Data on the size and scope of the research office were also collected. Analysis found that: (1) the smaller the institution the more likely it was that the institutional research office reported directly to the president; (2) about 25 percent of research professionals taught an academic course; (3) one-third were currently engaged in research activities for professional development; (4) location in the organizational hierarchy did not appear to influence longevity in an institutional research position or professional satisfaction; and (5) offices had a mean staff size of 4.53 and overall group mean salary was $46,852. (Contains 32 references.) (JB)