Evaluation in Higher Education

Introduction

Although there are many different approaches to programme evaluation in higher education, there is nonetheless a general agreement regarding its main objective. Programme evaluation in higher education is the systematic process of obtaining relevant information which is then used to make decisions in regard to different university domains (i.e. research, services, teaching, departments, programmes, etc.). This decision-making process should be based on scientific methodology according to valid and reliable data. In addition, and under the premises of utility, feasibility, propriety, and accuracy, the results obtained should enable institutions to improve practices in order to achieve excellence in their activities and processes (Volkwein et al., 1995).

The implementation of programme evaluation in higher education is difficult for three reasons. First, due to the peculiar characteristics of university ...