Assessing the Quality of Education Research Through Its Relevance to Practice: An Integrative Review of Research-Practice Partnerships

2021 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 170-194
Author(s):  
Richard O. Welsh

The contemporary social, economic, and cultural conditions within and outside the academy prompt important questions about the role of research in education policy and practice. Scholars have framed research-practice partnerships (RPPs) as a strategy to promote evidence-based decision-making in education. In this chapter, I interrogate the notion that RPPs offer an insightful framework to consider how the quality of research can be measured through its use. The findings suggest that using RPPs to assess the quality of education research enhances the relevance to policy and practice as well as attention to the quality of reporting, and pivots from the preeminence of methodological quality. RPPs increase local education leaders’ access to research and bolster the use of research. RPPs may also strengthen the alignment between education research and the public good. Notwithstanding, employing RPPs as a vehicle to assess research quality has its challenges. Valuing the work of RPPs in academia is a work in progress. Building and sustaining an RPP is challenging, and there is still much to learn about the ways in which RPPs work and overcome obstacles. Assessing the impact of RPPs is also difficult. Future considerations are discussed.

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 158-166
Author(s):  
Ian Menter ◽  
◽  

The global significance of teacher education has never been greater than it is today. In this world where migration, inequality, climate change, political upheavals and strife continue to be manifest in many locations around the world, governments and scholars alike are increasingly considering what role education systems can play in achieving stability and managed, sustainable economic development. With growing awareness that the quality of education is very closely related to the quality of teachers and teaching, teacher education has moved into a key strategic location in international debate and discussion. This proposition is as true and pertinent in the global south and east as it is in the northern and western worlds. All of these concerns have been amplified by the impact of the global viral pandemic. There are many moral challenges to be faced by teacher educators, policymakers and researchers.


2020 ◽  
pp. 137-149
Author(s):  
Krzysztof Szewior

The author focuses on the manner and effects of German higher education reforms that have changed the model of university management. The point of reference is the quality of education and its role, how universities ensure it, and how it is verified through evaluation and accreditation. These elements divide the article into two parts: a part about quality and a part about evaluation and accreditation. The analysis includes the impact of global processes and Europeanization. The research approach is characteristic for public policies, sciences of management and quality. The theories used in this article: the theory of systems and neo-institutionalism, as well as perspectives: the university as an active strategic partner, entrepreneurial university, the third role of universities. The publication is based on desk research and on the analysis of processes.


1997 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 304-313
Author(s):  
W. O. George ◽  
A. N. Hill

In this paper, the origins and characteristics of the 102 current UK universities are briefly traced and the outcomes of recent assessments of research quality are summarized for all universities and for the 69 subject units within which assessment was made. The quality of research in a subject unit, group of subject units or complete institution is measured by a weighted average score based on a peer rating of submitted subject units from each university and the numerical values obtained are described within the limitations of the methodology developed. The authors consider the scores in terms of the characteristics of each university and the broad subject areas, science, engineering, social sciences and humanities. They then discuss the industrial link with research in terms of recent government policy inputs, university research outcomes and the impact of market forces on universities from diminishing patterns of some income streams.


2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Syeda Wajiha Kazmi ◽  
Syeda Tuba Javaid

Purpose This study aims to investigate the impact of three determinants of organizational identification (OID) on employee performance (EP) in the context of private business institutions. Design/methodology/approach A sample of 175 permanent faculty members from four top universities in Karachi, Pakistan, was interviewed using a five-point Likert scale questionnaire. The data were inserted in SPSS 22 and SmartPLS v 3.2 for performing the analysis. Findings Results of the study showed a significant effect in perceived supervisor support on OID; OID; job satisfaction and EP; and mediating relationship. Conversely, an insignificant effect was observed in workplace incivility. Research limitations/implications It is highly recommended that organizations work on the areas that lead to enhancing their employees’ performance. Also, human resource should create a healthy culture that promotes initiatives, open-door policies and discourages power distance. Lastly, one of the key responsibilities of management is to strengthen their OID because employees are more likely to identify with their supervisors if they invest in the organizations they work for. Practical implications This study will help strengthen the relationship between supervisors and university employees. It will guide the supervisors to acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of their subordinates and develop recreational policies and employee engagement activities. In addition, it will help develop a conducive environment and enhance the quality of education in the university and the society. Originality/value Understanding the determinants of OID on EP in the educational context is very important as it enhances the quality of EP and the overall quality of education of the institution.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 407
Author(s):  
ZM Abid Mohammady

Abstract: In the context of Indonesia, the quality of education seems to be something taboo to talk about, however, according to researchers the quality of education in Indonesia is very apprehensive. It is necessary for the role of headmaster and special efforts in developing a quality education institution through organizational culture as a value system that is understood, imbued, run jointly by members of the organization as a system of meaning or guidance for the organizers. This study aims to describe the three roles and impacts role of the headmaster role in developing the quality of organizational culture, they are: (1) the role of the headmaster as a manager; (2) the role of the headmaster as the educator; (3) the role of the headmaster as the supervisor; 4) The impact of the headmaster's role in developing the quality of organizational culture quality at SDMT Ponorogo. This research is categorized into a field research with qualitative descriptive approach and the research design was case study. The setting of study was at SDMT Ponorogo.  The findings showed that (1). The role of headmaster as manager encompasses conducting internal and external analysis, internalizing the Islamic value that is kemuhamadiyahan value. (2). The role of the headmaster as an educator includes involving educators in upgrading, workshops or training in order to provide opportunities for educators to improve their knowledge and skills by learning to the higher education, conducting cadre to members of organizational culture and creating jargon to motivate members of organizational culture. (3). The role of the headmaster as a supervisor comprises overseeing and Evaluating the performance and achievement of members of organizational culture, conducting weekly, monthly and semester meetings, monitoring achievements of educators and learners. (4) The impact of the school headmaster's role in developing the quality of organizational culture is organizational culture climate becomes harmonious and schools achieve more attainments.Abstrak: Dalam konteks Indonesia, mutu pendidikan seolah-olah menjadi barang yang tabu untuk diperbicangkan, dalam konteks tersebut kualitas pendidikan di Indonesia sangat memperihatinkan. Untuk itu diperlukan peran kepala sekolah dan Upaya khusus dalam mengembangkan sebuah mutu lembaga pendidikan melalui budaya organisasi sebagai sistem nilai yang dipahami, dijiwai, dijalankan secara bersama oleh anggota organisasi sebagai sistem makna atau pedoman bagi pelaku organisasi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan dan menjelaskan tiga peran serta dampak peran  kepala sekolah dalam mengembangkan mutu budaya organisasi, yaitu: (1) Peran kepala sekolah sebagai Manajer, (2) Peran kepala sekolah sebagai Educator, (3) Peran kepala sekolah sebagai supervisor, dan (4) Dampak peran kepala sekolah dalam mengembangkan mutu budaya organisasi di SDMT Ponorogo. Dengan menghasilkan temuan: (1).Peran kepala sekolah sebagai manajer diantaranya: melakukan analisis internal dan eksternal, menginternalisasi nilai keislaman yaitu nilai kemuhammadiahan. (2). Peran kepala sekolah sebagai educator diantaranya: mengikut sertakan pendidik dalam penataran, workshop atau pelatihan memberikan kesempatan kepada pendidik untuk meningkatkan pengetahuan dan keterampilannya dengan belajar ke jenjang pendidikan yang lebih tinggi, melakukan pengkaderan kepada anggota budaya organisasi. membuat jargon-jargon untuk memotivasi anggota budaya organisasi. (3). Peran kepala sekolah sebagai supervisor diantarnya: mengawasi dan mengevaluasi kinerja dan pencapaian anggota budaya organisasi, mengadakan rapat setiap, minggu, bulan dan semester, memantau prestasi pendidik dan peserta didik. (4) Dampak peran kepala sekolah dalam mengembangkan mutu budaya organisasi diantaranya: iklim budaya organisasi menjadi harmonis, sekolah menjadi lebih berprestasi.


2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 394-404
Author(s):  
Janusz Witowski ◽  
Dorota Sikorska ◽  
András Rudolf ◽  
Izabela Miechowicz ◽  
Julian Kamhieh-Milz ◽  
...  

The concerns about reproducibility and validity of animal studies are partly related to poor experimental design and reporting. Here, we undertook a scoping review of the literature to determine the extent and quality of reporting of animal studies on peritoneal dialysis (PD). Online databases were searched to identify 567 relevant original articles published between 1979 and 2018. These were analyzed with respect to bibliographic parameters and general aspects of animal experimentation. A subgroup of 120 studies was analyzed in detail in terms of the impact on the reporting quality of the Animal Research: Reporting of In Vivo Experiments (ARRIVE) guidelines for animal studies. The number of animal studies on PD increased continuously over the years with a thematic shift toward long-term preservation of the peritoneum as a dialyzing organ. There were significant deficiencies in research design with the lack of sample size estimation, randomization, and blinding being the commonest shortcomings. The description of animal numbers, housing conditions, use of medication, and statistical analysis was incomplete. The introduction in 2010 of the ARRIVE guidelines produced very little improvement in the completeness of reporting regardless of journal impact factor. The animal studies on PD suffer from deficits in experimental protocols and transparent reporting. These drawbacks need to be corrected to ensure high-quality and much-needed animal research in PD.


2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Guthrie ◽  
Lee D. Parker ◽  
John Dumay ◽  
Markus J. Milne

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to reflect upon the focus and changing nature of measuring academic accounting research quality. The paper addresses contemporary changes in academic publishing, metrics for determining research quality and the possible impacts on accounting scholars. These are considered in relation to the core values of interdisciplinary accounting research ‒ that is, the pursuit of novel, rigorous, significant and authentic research motivated by a passion for scholarship, curiosity and solving wicked problems. The impact of changing journal rankings and research citation metrics on the traditional and highly valued role of the accounting academic is further considered. In this setting, the paper also provides a summary of the journal’s activities for 2018, and in the future. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on contemporary data sets, the paper illustrates the increasingly diverse and confusing array of “evidence” brought to bear on the question of the relative quality of accounting research. Commercial products used to rate and rank journals, and judge the academic impact of individual scholars and their papers not only offer insight and visibility, but also have the potential to misinform scholars and their assessors. Findings In the move from simple journal ranking lists to big data and citations, and increasingly to concerns with impact and engagement, the authors identify several challenges facing academics and administrators alike. The individual academic and his or her contribution to scholarship are increasingly marginalised in the name of discipline, faculty and institutional performance. A growing university performance management culture within, for example, the UK and Australasia, has reached a stage in the past decade where publication and citation metrics are driving allocations of travel grants, research grants, promotions and appointments. With an expanded range of available metrics and products to judge their worth, or have it judged for them, scholars need to be increasingly informed of the nuanced or not-so-nuanced uses to which these measurement systems will be put. Narrow, restricted and opaque peer-based sources such as journal ranking lists are now being challenged by more transparent citation-based sources. Practical implications The issues addressed in this commentary offer a critical understanding of contemporary metrics and measurement in determining the quality of interdisciplinary accounting research. Scholars are urged to reflect upon the challenges they face in a rapidly moving context. Individuals are increasingly under pressure to seek out preferred publication outlets, developing and curating a personal citation profile. Yet such extrinsic outcomes may come at the cost of the core values that motivate the interdisciplinary scholar and research. Originality/value This paper provides a forward-looking focus on the critical role of academics in interdisciplinary accounting research.


2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 321-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cecilia Vindrola-Padros ◽  
Bruno Vindrola-Padros

BackgroundThe ability to capture the complexities of healthcare practices and the quick turnaround of findings make rapid ethnographies appealing to the healthcare sector, where changing organisational climates and priorities require actionable findings at strategic time points. Despite methodological advancement, there continue to be challenges in the implementation of rapid ethnographies concerning sampling, the interpretation of findings and management of field research. The purpose of this review was to explore the benefits and challenges of using rapid ethnographies to inform healthcare organisation and delivery and identify areas that require improvement.MethodsThis was a systematic review of the literature using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We used the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool to assess the quality of the articles. We developed the search strategy using the Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes, Settingframework and searched for peer-reviewed articles in MEDLINE, CINAHL PLUS, Web of Science and ProQuest Central. We included articles that reported findings from rapid ethnographies in healthcare contexts or addressing issues related to health service use.Results26 articles were included in the review. We found an increase in the use of rapid ethnographies in the last 2‰years. We found variability in terminology and developed a typology to clarify conceptual differences. The studies generated findings that could be used to inform policy and practice. The main limitations of the studies were: the poor quality of reporting of study designs, mainly data analysis methods, and lack of reflexivity.ConclusionsRapid ethnographies have the potential to generate findings that can inform changes in healthcare practices in a timely manner, but greater attention needs to be paid to the reflexive interpretation of findings and the description of research methods.Trial registration numberCRD42017065874.


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