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Critical Factors Affecting Students' Satisfaction with Higher Education in Sri Lanka

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Title: Critical Factors Affecting Students' Satisfaction with Higher Education in Sri Lanka
Language: English
Authors: Weerasinghe, I. M. S., Fernando, R. L. S.
Source: Quality Assurance in Education: An International Perspective. 2018 26(1):115-130.
Availability: Emerald Group Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emeraldinsight.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 16
Publication Date: 2018
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Student Satisfaction, Hypothesis Testing, Undergraduate Students, Factor Analysis, Correlation, Regression (Statistics), Construct Validity, Test Validity, Test Reliability, Educational Quality, Teacher Competencies, College Faculty, Educational Facilities, Academic Degrees, Educational Administration, Geographic Location, Reputation, Predictor Variables, Questionnaires, Statistical Analysis
Geographic Terms: Sri Lanka
DOI: 10.1108/QAE-04-2017-0014
ISSN: 0968-4883
Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explain critical factors affecting student satisfaction levels in selected state universities in Sri Lanka. Design/methodology/approach: The study has applied an quantitative survey design guided by six hypotheses. A conceptual framework has been developed to address the research questions on the basis of a literature review. The study is based on an undergraduate sample from four state universities, and it presents results of factor analytics and correlational and regression analyses. Findings: Evidence to support construct validity and reliability of all survey-based scales measuring the key variables has been found. The quality of the academic staff, university facilities, degree program, administrative staff, university location and university image have been correlated significantly with student satisfaction levels measured at 0.45, 0.47, 0.51, 0.31, 0.39 and 0.66, respectively. The statistically significant predictors are: the quality of university facilities, the quality of the degree program and the university image, with the image being the strongest predictor. Practical implications: The study offers a conceptual framework to guide future research and validated scales for measuring student satisfaction levels in a national higher education system in a developing region that is aspiring toward a knowledge-based economy where tertiary education is free. Five recommendations are provided for policymakers. Originality/value: Research shows high variabilities in the models used and the findings of studies on factors affecting student satisfaction levels in universities. The study is among the first large-scale studies of student satisfaction levels in the Sri Lankan state university system, where little data exist on why students are dissatisfied and fail to complete their degrees.
Abstractor: As Provided
Number of References: 47
Entry Date: 2018
Accession Number: EJ1169315
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Critical Factors Affecting Students' Satisfaction with Higher Education in Sri Lanka
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Weerasinghe%2C+I%2E+M%2E+S%2E%22">Weerasinghe, I. M. S.</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Fernando%2C+R%2E+L%2E+S%2E%22">Fernando, R. L. S.</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Quality+Assurance+in+Education%3A+An+International+Perspective%22"><i>Quality Assurance in Education: An International Perspective</i></searchLink>. 2018 26(1):115-130.
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  Label: Availability
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  Data: Emerald Group Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emeraldinsight.com
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  Data: Y
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  Data: 16
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  Data: 2018
– Name: TypeDocument
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
– Name: Audience
  Label: Education Level
  Group: Audnce
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Descriptors
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Satisfaction%22">Student Satisfaction</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Hypothesis+Testing%22">Hypothesis Testing</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Undergraduate+Students%22">Undergraduate Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Factor+Analysis%22">Factor Analysis</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Correlation%22">Correlation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Regression+%28Statistics%29%22">Regression (Statistics)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Construct+Validity%22">Construct Validity</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Test+Validity%22">Test Validity</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Test+Reliability%22">Test Reliability</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Quality%22">Educational Quality</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teacher+Competencies%22">Teacher Competencies</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Faculty%22">College Faculty</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Facilities%22">Educational Facilities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Academic+Degrees%22">Academic Degrees</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Administration%22">Educational Administration</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Geographic+Location%22">Geographic Location</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Reputation%22">Reputation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Predictor+Variables%22">Predictor Variables</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Questionnaires%22">Questionnaires</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Statistical+Analysis%22">Statistical Analysis</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Geographic Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sri+Lanka%22">Sri Lanka</searchLink>
– Name: DOI
  Label: DOI
  Group: ID
  Data: 10.1108/QAE-04-2017-0014
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
  Group: ISSN
  Data: 0968-4883
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explain critical factors affecting student satisfaction levels in selected state universities in Sri Lanka. Design/methodology/approach: The study has applied an quantitative survey design guided by six hypotheses. A conceptual framework has been developed to address the research questions on the basis of a literature review. The study is based on an undergraduate sample from four state universities, and it presents results of factor analytics and correlational and regression analyses. Findings: Evidence to support construct validity and reliability of all survey-based scales measuring the key variables has been found. The quality of the academic staff, university facilities, degree program, administrative staff, university location and university image have been correlated significantly with student satisfaction levels measured at 0.45, 0.47, 0.51, 0.31, 0.39 and 0.66, respectively. The statistically significant predictors are: the quality of university facilities, the quality of the degree program and the university image, with the image being the strongest predictor. Practical implications: The study offers a conceptual framework to guide future research and validated scales for measuring student satisfaction levels in a national higher education system in a developing region that is aspiring toward a knowledge-based economy where tertiary education is free. Five recommendations are provided for policymakers. Originality/value: Research shows high variabilities in the models used and the findings of studies on factors affecting student satisfaction levels in universities. The study is among the first large-scale studies of student satisfaction levels in the Sri Lankan state university system, where little data exist on why students are dissatisfied and fail to complete their degrees.
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  Data: 47
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        Value: 10.1108/QAE-04-2017-0014
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      – Text: English
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      Pagination:
        PageCount: 16
        StartPage: 115
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Satisfaction
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      – SubjectFull: Hypothesis Testing
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      – SubjectFull: Undergraduate Students
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      – SubjectFull: Factor Analysis
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      – SubjectFull: Teacher Competencies
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      – SubjectFull: Academic Degrees
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      – SubjectFull: Geographic Location
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      – SubjectFull: Reputation
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      – SubjectFull: Statistical Analysis
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      – SubjectFull: Sri Lanka
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