In response to a paper on Translation Quality Assessment and the training of translators, it is argued that too much emphasis is given to the role of psycholinguistics, functionalism, and quality assessment and too little on the development of student translators as the complex readers and writers that translators should be. Focus is on literary…

A response to a paper on the training of translators criticizes assertions made about the layperson's view of translation and about the relevance and consistency of professional training, and identifies misconceptions in the author's understanding of specific theories and approaches, particularly the functionalist approach to translation and…

Considers the need for reliable, scholarly access to the Web and suggests that the Association for Research Libraries, in partnership with OCLC and the Library of Congress, develop a so-called scholar's portal. Topics include quality content; enhanced library services; and gateway functions, including access to commercial databases and focused…

The evolution of an award-winning Total Quality Management (TQM) program for administrative and academic staff development at Oregon State University is chronicled. Special attention is given to application of TQM for faculty and corporate interaction, instructional improvement, and curriculum development. Special challenges for implementation of…

Discusses how to improve library reference service, especially the effective delivery of accurate answers, based on a program at Wichita State University (Kansas) that used concepts of quality from business and organizational management. Topics addressed include customers and customer service, and methods of reference service evaluation. (Contains…

A study on the use of performance indicators within a quality assurance system in higher education in the Netherlands is reported. The case study of seven departments of economics shows the attention paid to structural aspects of the curriculum instead of the declared object of the program evaluation. (SLD)

Efforts to improve the quality of academic programs in the United Kingdom, United States, and Netherlands have followed three general approaches: the logic of competitive markets; application of incentives; and professional self-regulation. Strengths and weaknesses of these approaches for improving academic quality are examined through the lens of…

Drawing on experience in the United States and United Kingdom, two educators discuss the practice of quality assessment in higher education. Distinguishing between formative and summative assessment, they identify characteristics that support quality learning, observing that practice falls short of these ideals and noting that it is risky for…

Although higher education in Scotland is part of the United Kingdom system, it has operated separately, with a distinctive focus on the assessment of quality in each academic subject. Internal and external quality assessment and assurance processes are described, and the lessons learned are explored briefly. (MSE)

Presents the first in a series of articles discussing the implementation of North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement's Performance Accreditation framework in a school setting. Offers statistical information on Holgarth Middle School, a fictitious school "located" in a suburban area in a Midwestern state. (NB)

Identifies key variables within and outside the learning context that could affect motivation to learn during training. Bases the theoretical framework on sociotechnical systems, total quality management, and training transfer theories that could influence employee and organizational performance. Considers task autonomy, organization's orientation…

Discusses quality assurance for Web-based courses, based on experiences at the University of Pretoria. Topics include evaluation of courseware; the concept of quality, including quality control, quality assurance, and total quality management; implementing a quality management system; measurement techniques; and partnerships. (LRW)

Suggestions for restructuring marketing efforts within colleges and universities stress the institution's primary profit center: student recruitment and retention. Techniques such as continuous quality improvement and implementation of a task force concept are recommended as a way of synergistically employing all the institution's assets and…

Presents results of an empirical study on the changes of students' expectations and perceptions of service quality in teaching. Results show that, whereas students' expectations appear to be relatively stable over the time of the study, their perceptions of service quality change over time and their perceived service quality level decreases as…

Presents an overview of a suite of software tools called "Of Course!" that was created for the design and development of interactive multimedia instructional (IMI) programs. Describes the tool's three built-in quality assurance operating modes; the Event Status buttons that handle the quality assurance feature; and the design and…