Question Scans

Question Scans

Question 15: Are there examples of post-secondary institutions that have improved their performance as a consequence of using accountability information?

Overview

The purpose of this question scan was to locate literature devoted to examples of successful implementations of accountability information to improve outcomes within post-secondary institutions.

Searches conducted within four relevant databases using a variety of applicable search terms and phrases yielded 178 potentially relevant articles. Subsequent application of inclusion and exclusion criteria reduced this number to 39. A search of Canadian government, professional, trade, and student organizations germane to post-secondary education revealed one additional document pertinent to the question.

The question is narrow in that it seeks examples of successful and effective implementation of accountability information as demonstrated by measured outcomes. Much of the literature devoted to issues of accountability and outcomes includes models for operation, and general perceptions and opinions of the costs and benefits of accountability and measured outcomes in the field of post-secondary education. Few articles actually provide specific examples of measured successes.

PDFView the full report (877 KB)

Question Scans by:  Title  l  Topic