scholarly journals Investigating Service Quality Issues in Higher Educational Context

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (s2) ◽  
pp. 11-37
Author(s):  
Vivien Surman ◽  
Zsuzsanna Eszter Tóth

Abstract Recently, quality issues have been widely addressed in the higher education sector as a result of which the identification and the role of stakeholders have come to the forefront. When evaluating service quality in higher education, three distinct levels of operation could be taken into account, namely, institutional level, program or faculty level and course level, on which the relevant stakeholders perceive service quality by focusing on different attributes. Besides students considered as primary stakeholders, the academic staff is paid considerable attention as they have a direct influence on how students perceive educational service quality. The establishment of a course level service quality framework of a special course is presented in this paper by demonstrating not only the students’ but also the supervisors’ aspects through a student questionnaire, focus group discussions and personal interviews. These approaches resulted in a new, more sophisticated understanding of service quality on course level.

Pedagogika ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 127 (3) ◽  
pp. 205-218
Author(s):  
Inga Juknytė-Petreikienė ◽  
Vilma Žydžiūnaitė

The paper discusses the considerations on qualitative indicators regarding the quality of the teaching and learning in joint degree studies. Method used for data collection was focus group discussions with students of joint degree programs implemented by seven European universities. Findings revealed that general dimensions on the quality of internationalization are focused on students and academic staff. Following the examination of student experience within joint degree studies in Lithuania, the key challenges faced by joint degree consortiums are highlighted.


2007 ◽  
Vol 60 (9) ◽  
pp. 949-959 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roediger Voss ◽  
Thorsten Gruber ◽  
Isabelle Szmigin

2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amran Md Rasli ◽  
Mansoor Ahmed Bhatti ◽  
Nadhirah Norhalim ◽  
Tan Owee Kowang

The Article attempts to analyze service quality in higher education institutions of Malaysia. The study used the Gap Model presented by Parasuraman et al. (1985, 1988) to identify the difference between expected quality and perceived quality in higher education institutions of Malaysia. The study focused to identify gaps of Turkish students in Malaysian universities Five basic dimensions of service quality measured through SERVQUAL (Instrument for service quality measurement). These dimensions are tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, and empathy. A stratified sample of 41 Turkish students has been selected from top five public universities in Malaysia. Results showed a negative service quality gap in higher education institutions of Malaysia from Turkish students’ perception which indicated perceived service quality is below than expectations of Turkish students in Malaysian universities.


Author(s):  
Melaku Masresha Woldeamanuel ◽  
Belay Sitotaw Goshu

This article empirically assesses perception of quality in higher education in Ethiopia.  The data was collected from one higher educational institution where the staffs are graduates of 31 different universities in Ethiopia. The information used in this study was obtained through administration of questionnaires. The main participants are the academic staff of the University. The total number of staff that participated in the research was 365. Purposive sampling technique was employed to select 365 teachers (302 male and 63 female) and seventeen classrooms were observed and twelve group discussions carried out with participants of Ethiopian educational roadmap. Data were analyzed by both descriptive statistics of percentages and inferential statistics of, t-test, correlation and one way ANOVA. Results indicated that teacher’ valued input indicators of quality of education more than process and output indicators. Output indicators received the lowest rating. Teachers’ practice also indicated that they apply process indicators in a reasonable manner. The results of relationship between practices of teaching learning processes revealed that, as teachers’ perception toward quality teaching learning process increases their practice of elements of constructivism also increases.


Author(s):  
Donna Jacqueline Dey ◽  
Angela Lindsay ◽  
Patricia Thomson

Transitions can affect students throughout their time at university. This study aims to show the potential of an additional, non-assessed placement in supporting MA3 Initial Teacher Education (ITE) students with skills thought to benefit transitions. Much of the research around student transitions focuses upon transitions into and out of higher education. In addition, within the MA ITE programme, students perceive challenges in transitioning into Professional Practice during their four year programme. A pilot study was undertaken to support third year MA ITE students in developing skills and attributes associated with the enhancement theme of student transitions in higher education: self-efficacy; reflection; and connectedness. The study involved MA3 students visiting an Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) setting in one local authority, one afternoon a week for eight weeks, the aim of the placement being for them to gain experience in playing and communicating with younger children, prior to their official early years placement. Initial findings from student focus group discussions suggest that students perceived that the study did help to support them in further developing transition skills and attributes.


2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 105
Author(s):  
Susana Sabarni ◽  
Lidia Laksana Hidajat

Latar Belakang : Pesatnya perkembangan teknologi informasi, memudahkan remaja mengakses semua hal yang berhubungan dengan informasi seputar seks. Dengan kemudahan yang dimiliki untuk mengakses teknologi informasi ini, remaja seringkali terekspos oleh konten-konten pornografi. Secara langsung maupun tidak langsung akan memengaruhi sikap remaja terhadap perilaku seks pranikah.Tujuan : Mengetahui peran nilai pribadi, nilai budaya dan nilai religius dikaitkan dengan sikap remaja perempuan di Maumere dan Larantuka terhadap perilaku seks pranikah serta mengetahui sikap remaja perempuan terhadap perilaku seks pranikah.Metode : Penelitian menggunakan pendekatan mixed method, pengukuran sikap melalui pengisian kuesioner dan diskusi kelompok terarah (FGD) untuk mengetahui gambaran sikap remaja perempuan terhadap perilaku seks pranikah yang dikaitkan dengan nilai pribadi, nilai budaya dan nilai religius. Kegiatan penelitian dilakukan pada empat SMA di Maumere dan Larantuka. Jumlah partisipan 120 orang, diperoleh dengan teknik accidental sampling. Sebagai informasi tambahan dilakukan wawancara dengan tokoh budaya di Maumere dan tokoh agama di Larantuka. Hasil dan pembahasan : Berdasarkan pengolahan data terhadap pengukuran skala sikap diperoleh gambaran bahwa pada dasarnya remaja perempuan di Maumere dan Larantuka tidak menyetujui hubungan seks pranikah, meskipun telah terjadi pergeseran nilai. Sikap ini berdasarkan pada nilai-nilai pribadi yang diyakini remaja yaitu pertimbangan etika dan moral, dampak kehamilan, aborsi atau penyakit menular seksual. Dalam konteks budaya, pertimbangan remaja adalah sanksi sosial yang akan diperoleh dari kehamilan di luar nikah. Sedang dalam konteks religius, remaja mempertimbangkan tentang dosa. Berdasarkan diskusi kelompok terarah (FGD) disimpulkan bahwa nilai religius dirasakan sangat penting oleh partisipan karena dapat menumbuhkan iman dan memberi dorongan,arah dalam bertingkah laku. Nilai-nilai religius juga berperan dalam memberi motivasi dan membimbing seseorang untuk melakukan perbuatan yang baik. Dalam konteks budaya, para partisipan berpendapat bahwa budaya sangat penting karena dalam budaya diajarkan tentang perilaku yang pantas dan tidak pantas dilakukan. Oleh karena itu dibutuhkan pendampingan orangtua dalam mendidik dan menanamkan nilai-nilai moral dan etika.Kesimpulan : Pernyataan sikap tidak setuju terhadap perilaku seks pranikah merupakan internalisasi nilai-nilai budaya dan religius yang akhirnya membentuk sikap remaja di Maumere dan Larantuka Kata kunci : Peran nilai pribadi, nilai budaya dan nilai religius, sikap remaja perempuan, perilaku seks pranikah, Maumere dan Larantuka, Nusa Tenggara Timur Susana Sabarni, Lidia Laksana HidajatABSTRACT Background: The rapid development of information technology, making it easier for teenagers to access all things related to information about sex. With the ease they have to access this information technology, teenagers are often exposed to pornographic content. Directly or indirectly will influence teen attitudes towards premarital sex behavior.Objective: To acknowlegde the role of personal values, cultural values and religious values associated with the attitudes of adolescent girls in Maumere and Larantuka towards premarital sex behavior and also to acknowlegde  the attitudes of teenage girls to premarital sex behavior.Methods: The study used a mixed method approach, attitude measurement through filling out questionnaires and focus group discussions (FGD) to describe the attitudes of adolescent girls towards premarital sex behavior which is associated with personal values, cultural values and religious values. Research activities were carried out on four high schools in Maumere and Larantuka. The number of participants 120 people, obtained by accidental sampling technique. For additional information, interviews with cultural leaders in Maumere and religious leaders in Larantuka were conducted.Results and discussion: Based on data processing on attitude scale measurement obtained an illustration that basically girls in Maumere and Larantuka do not approve premarital sex, even though there has been a shift in values. This attitude is based on personal values believed by adolescents, namely ethical and moral considerations, the impact of pregnancy, abortion or sexually transmitted diseases. In the context of culture, adolescent considerations are social sanctions that will be obtained from pregnancy outside of marriage. While in a religious context, teenagers consider sin. Based on focus group discussions (FGD) it was concluded that religious values were felt to be very important by participants because they could foster faith and give encouragement, direction in behaving. Religious values also play a role in motivating and guiding someone to do good deeds. In the cultural context, the participants thought that culture was very important because in the culture it was taught about appropriate and inappropriate behavior. Therefore, parents are needed to assist in educating and instilling moral and ethical values.Conclusion: A statement of disagreement with premarital sex behavior is an internalization of cultural and religious values that ultimately shape their attitudes Keywords: The role of personal values, cultural values and religious values, attitudes of adolescent girls, premarital sexual behavior, Maumere and Larantuka, Nusa Tenggara Timur


2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaw Owusu-Agyeman ◽  
Magda Fourie-Malherbe ◽  
Liezel Frick

Adult learners have unique educational needs that require attention from Higher Education Institutions, facilitators and industry. While several theories and policies have been developed to address the bourgeoning educational challenges confronting adult learners in Higher Education Institutions, not much has been achieved in the wake of growing knowledge and skills demands of employers. Using a mixed method approach, a survey (n = 200) and focus group discussions (n = 27) were conducted among adult learners who were also professionals studying engineering programmes in three diverse universities in Ghana. Additionally, interviews were conducted with representatives from industry and from the three engineering departments in the three universities. The study revealed that while the development of separate programmes for adult learners in Higher Education Institutions is not plausible in meeting the educational needs of adult learners, a different pedagogy could be used in addressing the unique knowledge and skills needs of adult learners. We present the implications of our study in relation to theory, practice and further research.


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