Data Governance

Data Dictionary

One element of effective data governance is a data dictionary, a central repository of terms that are shared across the campus.

Brown has begun implementing the Data Cookbook to be our data dictionary. This tool is intended to clarify how common reporting terms (e.g., student, regular faculty, course section) are used at Brown. This tool will help ensure a common understanding of what various metrics, key performance indicators, and other institutional calculations mean.

The Data Cookbook includes terms from such administrative systems as Banner, the Faculty Information System (FIS), and FAMIS.

Access the Data Cookbook

All Brown employees can view the Data Cookbook. Access is simple: navigate to brown.datacookbook.com and log in with your standard Brown username and password.

Data Cookbook Login

If you are a data trustee or steward and are interested in contributing definitions from your area, please email Emily Hsieh in the Office of Institutional Research.
For more details on how the Data Cookbook implementation, see the Data Cookbook Implementation Team Final Report.