External Data Sourcing
External data sources can supplement institutional data collection efforts by incorporating publicly available or API-accessible information from external platforms and services. The insights gathered from the preparation of external datasets can support future reporting, assessment and research initiatives.
What We Support
We can assist with identifying, collecting and organizing data from a variety of external and third-party sources, including:
- Vendor platforms
- CSV and Excel exports
- Social and online community platforms with API access (e.g., Reddit)
- Benchmarking and comparison datasets
After collection, we deliver:
- Structured CSV or Excel datasets
- Automated data collection workflows
- Dashboard-ready datasets
- Documentation of collection methods and data sources
Our Approach
Our team works with departments to:
- Identify relevant external data sources
- Collect and organize exported or API-accessible data
- Prepare datasets for reporting or dashboard development
- Standardize and structure incoming data
- Support recurring or automated data collection workflows
- Combine external datasets with institutional records when appropriate
Example Use Cases
Vendor Platform Data
Collect and organize exported data from external platforms and student engagement systems for future reporting and operational use.
Social & Online Community Data
Collect publicly accessible data from online platforms and communities with approved API access, such as Reddit, to support future assessment or reporting projects.