The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System

Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System

Glossary

The online version of the IPEDS Glossary provides definitions for almost 500 postsecondary-related terms used in the collection and dissemination of IPEDS data.

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Term	Definition	Related terms
Race/ethnicity	Categories used to describe groups to which individuals belong, identify with, or belong in the eyes of the community. The categories do not denote scientific definitions of anthropological origins. They are used to categorize U.S. citizens, resident aliens, and other eligible non-citizens. New Categories (1997 OMB) A new methodology was developed in 1997 by OMB to be used in reporting race/ethnicity. Individuals are asked to first designate ethnicity as: Hispanic or Latino or Not Hispanic or Latino Second, individuals are asked to indicate one or more races that apply among the following: American Indian or Alaska Native Asian Black or African American Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander White Old Categories (1977 OMB) The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) established the following five racial/ethnic categories. A person may be counted in only one group. The groups used to are as follows: Black, non-Hispanic, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic, White, non-Hispanic.

Term

Definition

Related terms

Race/ethnicity

Categories used to describe groups to which individuals belong, identify with, or belong in the eyes of the community. The categories do not denote scientific definitions of anthropological origins. They are used to categorize U.S. citizens, resident aliens, and other eligible non-citizens.

New Categories (1997 OMB)
A new methodology was developed in 1997 by OMB to be used in reporting race/ethnicity. Individuals are asked to first designate ethnicity as:

Hispanic or Latino or
Not Hispanic or Latino

Second, individuals are asked to indicate one or more races that apply among the following:

Old Categories (1977 OMB)
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) established the following five racial/ethnic categories. A person may be counted in only one group. The groups used to are as follows:

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