Higher education providers’ quality assurance processes have become increasingly data-reliant over time, and recent sector pronouncements concerning a shift to more ‘outcomes-focused’ external monitoring have only reinforced this. However, providers frequently describe the challenges associated with securing data that are meaningful, timely, reliable and integrated and which inspire user confidence at all levels of their organisations. Particular issues have been identified in relation to the appropriateness and consistency of data and the metrics (benchmarks) used to evaluate them, for example in relation to the performance of diverse and non-standard programmes.
Providers describe the institutional systems used to harvest, process and disseminate data and the challenge of meeting the requirements of different users in respect of how much is provided, the level of detail and the format in which it is presented. Considerable work has been undertaken by some providers in creating ‘dashboard’ interfaces that enable end-users to run customised reports from a common data source. The indications are that such developments will become even more significant as providers have to evidence the robustness of their programme monitoring procedures as part of internal and external review.
May 16, 2017
Fulfilling our Potential: Teaching Excellence, Social Mobility and Student Choice – Consultation
January 12, 2017