Student retention and progression has exercised the HE sector for some time now, and there has been much research into the reasons why students drop out of Higher Education courses. (Allen, 2006; Buglear, 2009;). More recently the Higher Education Academy Grants Programme Briefing (HEFCE, 2010), outlined a number of areas that emergent project…

A review of studies of U.S. and Canadian college and university institutional research offices finds a traditional focus on size, organizational location, professional preparation, and primary tasks. Suggests the emergence of four trends related to: (1) technology, (2) demographics, (3) emphasis on pedagogy, and (4) national, regional, and state…

Instructors' conceptions of a "good university professor" were studied, with 51 Israeli instructors from two departments. Respondents selected the 3 most important characteristics of good professors from a list of 15. A main factor was the professor's ability to spark intellectual growth, while a secondary factor was teaching method…

This collection of papers discusses issues of quality, institutional research culture, and processes which encourage, achieve, sustain, and assure high quality teaching and research in universities, primarily from a British and Australian perspective. Part 1 is titled "Issues of Quality and Institutional Research Culture" and contains…

The relation between teaching and research is a defining feature of a modern university and of academic identity. Many universities claim a close relation between the two as well as a strong critical orientation. Yet the gap between claims and practice in higher education appears to be widening as government and institutional policies increasingly…

Papers are presented from the fourth seminar of the International Association of Universities (IAU) held in Alexandria, Egypt. Inaugural addresses are presented by M.L. Dowidar, former president of the University of Alexandria, A.R. El Heneidey, President of the University of Alexandria, H.E. Abd El Tawab Hodeib, Governor of Alexandria, and Roger…

Content analysis of 441 electronic mail (e-mail) messages used by 31 Finnish undergraduate students investigated the use of the medium for practicing argumentation (grounding of stated claims) in two teaching modes: a tutor-led seminar and self-directed student discussion. Results indicated argumentation improved during the experiment, especially…

Main features of the cyclical procedure used by the University of Geneva (Switzerland) to evaluate 75 teaching and research units (TRUs) over a 6-year cycle are that it covers teaching, research, and services simultaneously and combines self-evaluation, peer assessment, and use of a database on TRU resources and achievements. (Author/MSE)

A study at the University of Ulster (Northern Ireland) explored student (n=1,456) and faculty (n=357) views on whether course content develops skills that are transferable to work. While faculty and students ascribed equal importance to key generic skills, they differed in the extent to which they believed necessary skills are being developed…

Equity, quality, and cost in higher education is examined as it exists in Australia. The first chapter provides a broad overview, both current and historical, of the complex structure of higher education in Australia and identifies issues and concerns. Chapter 2 examines enrollment trends in different fields of study. The third chapter looks at…

The relationship between the costs of central administration and academic teaching and research production was studied, based on a large sample of British universities and a separate analysis of the Free University of Brussels, Belgium. To determine variables important to central administration costs, a cross-sectional and intertemporal regression…

This book, written from a British perspective, presents 17 papers on quality assurance in teaching at the university level. The first eight papers address issues of assuring quality and include: (1) "Quality Assurance for University Teaching; Issues and Approaches" (Roger Ellis); (2) "A British Standard for University…

Equity, quality, and cost in higher education is examined as it exists within the Republic of Korea. Chapter 1 of the report explores the background rationale for the study, which stemmed from an earlier study's conclusion that the Asian Pacific Region was experiencing deteriorating quality levels, access discrimination, and serious resource…

Canadian journals in psychology, education, and higher education were reviewed to assess the contribution of psychology to Canadian higher education. Over 100 articles were selected, plus books and monographs published between 1970 and 1980. The articles were grouped according to whether they dealt with cognition and learning; instruction; student…

Information is presented concerning the European Association for Research and Development in Higher Education (EARDHE) and educational research and development occurring at the universities in the Netherlands. Additionally, perspectives on how university teachers in Hamburg, Germany, can improve their teaching methods are considered. The goals and…