Whereas a growing number of studies evidence that research quality notions and evaluative practices are field- and context-specific, many focus on single evaluative practices or moments. This paper introduces the concept of "quality landscape" to capture dynamics of interrelated quality notions, evaluative moments and practices in a…

International and national university ranking exercises have attracted increasing criticism in recent years, as observers question the integrity of the methodologies employed, the influence of rankings on institutional decision making, and ultimately the utility of the exercise. At the same time, for stakeholders "per se" rankings can…

Research impact is very important in academia. This study explored the research impact of faculty in doctoral higher education programs through the use of Hirsch's "h" index as measured by Google Scholar results. Characteristics of the "h" index in this field are discussed, and norms are offered for professors of different…

Research Productivity (RP) is the key element in the establishment of ranking and rating system in the Higher Education (HE) sector. Despite of the many initiatives taken to enliven the research culture among academic staff, there are still constraints and resistance towards conducting research. Therefore, this study attempts to identify the…

The university ranking systems have been utilized for academic performance of higher education system in the World since beginning of 2000's years. These systems, which considered the common parameters, have quickly followed with their own hierarchical measures by higher education organizations. However, these ranking systems never consider…

Academic research remains a prime source of knowledge and innovation for higher education institutions (HEIs) that strive to grow, expand and develop their academic reputations and standards. Yet, research informs teaching practices, shapes social changes and it has financial outcomes for HEIs. Therefore, it is imperative to develop institutional…

The study was based upon surveying colleges/schools of education with graduate programs from the "US News and World Report" "Best Education Schools 2011" (N = 89). Results indicated that greatest time was spent on data collection, data management, and compilation; while least time was focused on instrument technical…

One of the key features of American hegemonic power is the ability to attract talents from all over the world, especially in those shortage areas of science and technology. To explore what is behind the advanced American higher education system, this research compares native and foreign born faculty using four dimensions: demographics, field of…

In every assistant professor there seems to lurk a Karate Kid seeking a Mr. Miyagi who will train his acolyte to be a skilled warrior in the art of research, teaching, and service and impart pithy life lessons along the way. Such singular folks exist. But it's far more likely that one will find several mentors who, while not well-versed in all…

"IMHE-Info" is a newsletter published by the Institutional Management in Higher Education (IMHE) programme of OECD. This issue includes: (1) Breaking Ranks: Assessing Quality in Higher Education (Lyndon Thompson); (2) How to Improve Quality in Higher Education: A Study of Institutional Strategies; and (3) No More Ivory Towers: New Phase…

This paper examines the relationship between university ranks and outcome measurements. Many students select the university that they will attend based on these rankings In this paper the rankings conducted by two studies are examined. U.S. News and World Report rankings are based upon measures of the quality of input, retention while in school…

To develop and validate a framework for assessing academic program quality, national data from the fields of computer science and electrical and mechanical engineering were examined. Results, which are evaluated from four perspectives of quality assessment, support the notion that single-variable or single-dimension concepts of quality are…

The quality of doctoral-level chemical engineering (N=79), civil engineering (N=74), electrical engineering (N=91), and mechanical engineering (N=82) programs at United States universities was assessed, using 16 measures. These measures focused on variables related to: (1) program size; (2) characteristics of graduates; (3) reputational factors…

Evaluation methods for master's degree programs should be substantially different from those currently used for doctoral degree programs. Three current methods, that of Beverley Hurlbert, that of Jack Gourman, and that using departmental reputations as the major criterion, are insufficient. Elements that should be included in the evaluation are…