What Does 'Quality' in Higher Education Mean? Perceptions of Staff, Students and Employers

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Bibliographic Details
Title: What Does 'Quality' in Higher Education Mean? Perceptions of Staff, Students and Employers
Language: English
Authors: Dicker, R., Garcia, M., Kelly, A., Mulrooney, H. (ORCID 0000-0001-7257-5119)
Source: Studies in Higher Education. 2019 44(8):1425-1441.
Availability: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 17
Publication Date: 2019
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Postsecondary Education
Higher Education
Descriptors: Educational Quality, Student Attitudes, Employer Attitudes, College Students, Education Work Relationship, Employers, College Faculty, Teacher Attitudes, Personality Traits, Teacher Student Relationship, Relevance (Education), Foreign Countries, College Graduates
Geographic Terms: United Kingdom (London)
DOI: 10.1080/03075079.2018.1445987
ISSN: 0307-5079
Abstract: 'Quality' in education is difficult to define. What is viewed as high quality by staff, students and employers must be identified so that universities can articulate their offer. Equally, helping students develop the graduate skills and attributes that employers value is essential. This project explored quality in higher education from the perspectives of undergraduate students, academic staff and employers. Three hundred and forty students, 32 staff and 17 employers completed their respective questionnaires. Qualitative data were collected from students in focus groups. Results showed that employers most highly valued graduate personal qualities, while the quality of teaching and learning, feedback and staff: student relationships were highly rated by staff and students. Students, while positive about the methods of teaching and learning used, expressed uncertainty about whether they were receiving a high-quality education. Higher education institutions and academic staff must articulate the value of the academic offer more clearly to their students.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2019
Accession Number: EJ1222525
Database: ERIC
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Description
Abstract:'Quality' in education is difficult to define. What is viewed as high quality by staff, students and employers must be identified so that universities can articulate their offer. Equally, helping students develop the graduate skills and attributes that employers value is essential. This project explored quality in higher education from the perspectives of undergraduate students, academic staff and employers. Three hundred and forty students, 32 staff and 17 employers completed their respective questionnaires. Qualitative data were collected from students in focus groups. Results showed that employers most highly valued graduate personal qualities, while the quality of teaching and learning, feedback and staff: student relationships were highly rated by staff and students. Students, while positive about the methods of teaching and learning used, expressed uncertainty about whether they were receiving a high-quality education. Higher education institutions and academic staff must articulate the value of the academic offer more clearly to their students.
ISSN:0307-5079
DOI:10.1080/03075079.2018.1445987