Undergraduate non-completion rates: Differences between UK universities

The non-completion rate of university students differs substantially between UK universities. This paper provides estimates of non-completion rates for the 1979 and 1980 entry cohorts into each university and suggests a number of reasons which may have contributed to these inter-university differences. Statistical analysis indicates that a large proportion of the inter-university variation in the non-completion rate can be explained by three main factors: the scholastic ability of each university's new entrants (as reflected by A-level score), the subject mix of each university, and the proportion of each university's students accommodated in a hall of residence. The main conclusion is that inter-university comparisons in the non-completion rate are of little value unless account is taken of differences in the scholastic ability of each university's intake of students.The authors are grateful to the Nuffield Foundation for supporting this research project under its Small Grants Scheme and to the Universities Statistical Record for supplying the data. We are also grateful to Richard Cormack, Gareth Williams and several university registrars for their helpful comments on the first draft of this paper. The authors alone are responsible for the contents of this paper.     

英国课程硕士研究生教育探析

英国的研究生教育历史悠久,硕士研究生教育分为课程硕士教育和研究型硕士教育两种,其中课程硕士研究生教育具有的特质对我国硕士研究生的培养有着很大的启示。本文从招生制度、培养模式、培养目标及考核方式几方面分析英国课程硕士研究生教育的特质,并总结对我国硕士研究生教育的启示。     

An investigation into subtraction

This paper arose from research on numerical errors by 6 and 7 year-olds particularly in subtraction. The present investigation covers four categories: 11 year-olds: school-leavers: student nursery nurses: bus conductor trainees. The central questions were whether earlier errors recurred at these later stages and how far feelings towards the subject (sometimes formed when young) affected performance. The sample was small (N=93) but the results at least suggest questions and directions for further work. In each category, for example, over 25 per cent got a very basic subtraction sum wrong. This indicates that some young children are asked to do sums which are beyond their comprehension and the resulting confusion is difficult to remedy later.     

An investigation into the English language experiences of Indian international students studying in New Zealand universities

ABSTRACT

Language proficiency is highlighted in the literature on the adjustment and security of international students. India is the second top source country for mobile students globally, but few studies have focused explicitly on students from India. The purpose of this study was to examine the English language experiences of Indian students at New Zealand universities. This mixed-method study utilised a questionnaire (n?=?109) and interviews (n?=?15). Collectively the participants had high levels of confidence and proficiency in English language and adjusted more rapidly than many international students to the new academic environment. Major differences experienced by the participants between India and New Zealand related to unfamiliar forms of academic writing and tasks, and on the role of learning support services. Formal high value assessment was for some the first indication of a problem with writing. While most students adjusted through error-based learning others struggled with argumentation and avoiding plagiarism. These findings have relevance for local and international students. We recommend the use of, and research on, early low-stakes assessment of writing and on effective support services for students transitioning into new academic contexts.     

Measuring quality in universities: An approach to weighting research productivity

The aim of the study is to demonstrate, via the use of the discipline of Education, a procedure to identify and weight the importance of various indicators of research productivity which in turn have become significant components in determining quality within and between universities. The methodology allows for the identification of indicators that are most important, and ascertains if there are differences among academics as to the relative weighting of the various research indicators.Highly valued indicators of research productivity amongst the Education academics were refereed journal articles, peer reviewed books, and major competitive research grants. Refereeing was critical in the determination of quality in research productivity, and the findings generalized across many academics regardless of their own personal productivity. It is recommended that the methodology can serve to determine the tacit weights that academics within and across disciplines attach to various research products. At least, this method makes academics and administrators aware of the weightings they are actually using when making decisions about the quality of academic departments.     

研究生学位论文拆分发表问题探析——由“学术不端文献检测系统”检测结果所想到的

分析中国知网中学位论文全文数据库的出版性质,认为《中国博士学位论文全文数据库（CDFD）》和《中国优秀硕士学位论文全文数据库（CMFD）》是正式出版的学术电子期刊,先发学位论文后发拆分论文属于重复发表,先发拆分论文后发学位论文属于正常出版,建议研究生先发拆分论文后发学位论文全文。     

An empirical investigation of entrepreneurship intensity in Iranian state universities

The purpose of this study is to propose a framework to evaluate the entrepreneurship intensity (EI) of Iranian state universities. In order to determine EI, a hybrid multi-method framework consisting of Delphi, Analytic Network Process (ANP), and VIKOR is proposed. The Delphi method is used to localize and reduce the number of criteria extracted from a deep literature review, according to the social and economic conditions of Iranian state universities by using an expert panel, including sixty-eight country-wide academicians and practitioners. After that, a group approach to ANP was utilized as an evaluation method to derive the weights of each criterion. Next, the evaluation data were gathered through a questionnaire, and, finally, the compromise ranking of universities was calculated using the VIKOR method. Moreover, this study applies weight-variance analysis (WVA) to suggest improvement actions. The paper proposes an evaluation framework for determining the performance of entrepreneurship development initiatives in universities. By using this framework, twenty-two Iranian state universities are evaluated in terms of their EI, and the results are discussed.     

中国古代书院与欧洲中世纪大学的比较研究

在世界高等教育发展史上 ,中国古代书院与欧洲中世纪大学是比较有代表性的教育制度 ,两者都对后世高等教育的发展产生了很大影响。本文从两者形成的社会文化背景、办学特色及对历史产生的影响等角度出发 ,分析两者的异同 ,以期为现代高等教育提供有益的借鉴     

The transition experiences of direct entrants from overseas higher education partners into UK universities

This two-year study was conducted to explore the experience of international direct-entry students making the transition from overseas higher education partners to a UK University. Using mainly qualitative data from forum discussion, focus-group interviews and face-to-face interviews with students and staff, we document how international direct-entry students cope with academic and social anxieties during their transition. The findings reveal that there are some similarities, such as language issues, which are experienced by most international students. However, this study has highlighted a distinguishing factor for direct-entry students which relates to the use of intra-networks to overcome their social anxieties. The exploratory analysis also indicates that international students entering directly into an academic programme at a later study stage face a steep learning curve and require additional support to adapt quickly to a UK educational system.     

新升本科院校图书馆读者满意度的调查分析

读者服务是图书馆工作的核心内容,文章通过对遵义师范学院图书馆的读者满意度调查,对新升本科学院图书馆的进一步发展进行了深入思考。     

An investigation into excellent tertiary teaching: Emphasising reflective practice

This study is an attempt to understand betterthe complex nature of tertiary teaching byidentifying and investigating the attributes ofa group of excellent teachers in sciencedepartments of the University. In working withthis group of teachers we examined what theysay about their teaching and what theydo in their teaching practice. Ourfindings, as well as confirming much of theexisting literature at primary, secondary andtertiary levels, emphasise the strong linkbetween the teaching practice and researchcommitment of our excellent science teachers;as well as the key roles played byinterpersonal relationships and the `person' ofthe teacher. We propose that purposefulreflective practice integrates the manydimensions of teaching for this group ofexcellent science teachers. We present atheoretical model that can be used to assistnovice or less experienced university academicsin their development and understanding ofteaching excellence at the tertiary level.     

恭维语应答的变异调查与分析

通过对不同性别、不同年龄人群对恭维语应答方式的调查发现：接受恭维的人比拒绝的多，其中女性更喜欢明确、直接地接受；在女性群体中，年龄越小，接受恭维的方式就越直接；老年男性更愿意含蓄地接受他人的恭维。     

An investigation into a Thai university initiation

This study examines activities that took place during the 3-week process of freshmen initiation to a university faculty in Thailand. It describes how the activities were carried out and notes the perspectives behind the activities that are used. The study concludes by discussing contradictions that exist between what was taught to the freshmen and the activities that participants undertook. Considerations for updating initiation processes while keeping traditional forms of the activities are discussed.     

Knowledge hustlers: Gendered micro-politics and networking in UK universities

This article explores the role of gendered academic networks in the context of research evaluation, and women’s lived experiences of UK universities. Gendered power is conceptualised as an important aspect of inequality regimes, providing insight into how men maintain power and how power dynamics and informal networks function, characterised in this article as ‘the hustle’. A case study comprising 80 in-depth, semi-structured qualitative interviews was completed in a UK university. Acker’s theory of inequality regimes informed the central analytical framework, and Bradley’s resource-based theory of power was used to explore the power dynamics in the case study. The findings have resulted in the creation of a conceptual framework which theorises the hybridised nature of inequality, gendered power and organisational lived experience, in which inequality regimes and gendered power interact and are mutually reinforced through informal processes. This article argues, from the findings of the empirical research, that in the context of the neoliberal university, inequality regimes and gendered power interact, and are mutually reinforced through informal processes and networks—‘the hustle’.     

河北省体育教育专业学生专业思想现状调查

在深入调查的基础上,对学生的入学动机、学习兴趣和态度、专业意志以及学生对体育教师职业的认知程度等方面的现实表现进行全面分析,找出其影响因素,并就如何加强学生专业思想教育提出相应的策略,为体育教育专业人才的培养提供有益的参考.     

Enigmatic Variations: Honours Degree Assessment Regulations in the UK

The debate in the UK about the continued existence of the honours degree classification led to a survey of the assessment regulations in 35 varied higher education institutions. This revealed considerable variation in the way in which honours degree classifications are determined, and also in the handling of weak performances by students. Such variability, deriving from a system in which institutional autonomy is to the fore, raises a question about equitability in the treatment of students. A brief allusion is made to the variability in assessment regulations in the US and Australia.     

Pedagogical applications of Vlogs: An investigation into ESP learners' perceptions

This study set out to examine the implementation of a video blog (vlog) project in an English for Specific Purposes (ESP) course that aimed to increase students' opportunities to use the target language. Specifically, it explored students' perceptions towards vlogs and analysed the advantages and disadvantages of vlogs as identified by the students. Data sources included an attitude survey, an open‐ended questionnaire, student interviews, written peer feedback, video clips in vlogs and reflective journals. The results indicated that firstly, the students favourably perceived the vlog project because vlogs not only helped them organise and reflect on their learning products, but also allowed them to archive their learning processes. Second, they reported a number of advantages associated with vlogging, such as visual representation, relief from time constraints, self‐evaluation, professional development, wider audience, peer learning and technical capability. Third, in the opinion of the students, the challenges compromising the effectiveness of the vlog project involved technical difficulties, affective interferences, weak linkage to real‐time communication and time issues. In light of these findings, the researcher proposes two pedagogical implications for ESP instructional practices.