Levels of Analysis in Higher Education Research

Tertiary Education and Management - This article examines the levels of analysis adopted in higher education research, using a database of 567 articles published in 15 leading higher education...     

The Re-Location of Higher Education

The recent expansion in participation in higher education in England also has a locational dimension, though this is usually overlooked. Three periods of expansion in university numbers may be identified during the twentieth century—in the 1900s, in the 1950s and 1960s, and most, recently, in the 1990s—interspersed by periods of stasis. Colleges of higher education and of further education also currently have an important role in localising study opportunities. The processes behind this expansion have involved both academic drift, the tendency for institutions to aspire to higher status, and 'academic expurgation', their tendency to drop lower level work. While the periodic creation of new universities has grabbed attention, much of the'background'growth in student numbers between times has been part-time. The distribution of higher education study opportunities across the country remains, however, very uneven, with the rural counties on the northern, eastern, western and south-western peripheries of the country poorly provided for.     

Students' preferences for discipline practices in schools

Data on pupils' perceptions of the classroom discipline techniques of “good” teachers are compared for Australian, U.S., and Norwegian pupils. The results indicate remarkable similarity in the pupils' preferences.     

Investigating the medium effect in computer-aided assessment of school Chemistry and college Computing national examinations

This article presents results of a comparison between paper and computer tests of ability in Chemistry and Computing. A statistical model is employed to analyse the experimental data from almost 200 candidates. It is shown that there is no medium effect when specific traditional paper examinations in Chemistry and Computing are transferred into electronic format. The effect of rewording for computer‐delivered test questions is also investigated and again the conclusion is that no evidence of a difference could be found. These results were obtained as part of the Project for Assessments in Scotland using Information Technology (PASS‐IT).     

Employment Outcomes of Science Graduates in Australia: Implications for Choice and Diversity in the Curriculum

In this paper, we compare employment outcomes of science graduates in Australia with information about survey respondents' courses of study to determine the nature and extent of employment-curriculum match (or mismatch). Outcomes of student preferences are also explored to see which course structures – specifically generalist or specialist – are more successful than others. Six different measures of employment-curriculum matching are used to argue that mismatching is likely to be minimal. The paper suggests implications for the structure of undergraduate science degrees.     

The organisation of academic knowledge: A comparative perspective

How is academic knowledge organized? Does thisvary from country to country, and, if so, how?This paper explores these questions through anexamination of some of the data included in theCommonwealth Universities Yearbook 2001.In particular, an analysis is presented of thedifferent names given to basic academic units(departments, schools and/or faculties) inAustralia, Nigeria and the United Kingdom.Evidence is provided regarding forms ofinstitutional organization, and of the varyingstrength of different disciplines or fields ofstudy.