Analytic Quality Glossary

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Citation reference: Harvey, L., 2004, Analytic Quality Glossary, Quality Research International, http://www.qualityresearchinternational.com/glossary/

This is a dynamic glossary and the author would welcome any e-mail suggestions for amendments or additions.

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Evaluation

core definition

Evaluation (of quality or standards) is the process of examining and passing a judgment on the appropriateness or level of quality or standards.

explanatory context

Quality evaluation may be undertaken internally or externally. External evaluation is a process for undertaking an independent evaluation.

Note: evaluation is often used in a generic way to mean any kind of review of quality or standards, irrespective of any evaluative judgement being passed. It is even used as shorthand for external quality evaluation. In some settings evaluation is used to encompass all forms of quality assurance other than accreditation. For example, in the discussions about the European Higher Education Area, accreditation is often contrasted with ‘evaluation’ (meaning audit and/or assessment and any other form of external evaluation.).

analytical review

INQAAHE, for example, adopt a generic approach but apply it to an agency activity:

Evaluation (also called review) is used as the general description of the activity of an EQA-agency [external quality assurance agency] for collecting data, information and evidence about the quality of an institution, the quality of parts of an institution or the quality of its core activities: education and/or research. (INQAAHE, 2001, p. 2)

Campbell and Rozsnyai (2002, p. 31):

Evaluation is a general term denoting any process leading to judgments and/or recommendations regarding the quality of a unit. (A unit is an institution, programme, discipline.) Evaluation can be an internal process – self-evaluation – or an external one conducted by external experts, peers, or inspectors.

The UNESCO definition

Evaluation: The general process of a systematic and critical analysis leading to judgments and/or recommendations regarding the quality of a higher education institution or a programme. Evaluation is carried out through internal or external procedures. In the United Kingdom, evaluation is also called review. (Vlãsceanu, 2004, p. 37)

The Hungarian Higher Education Act (2000 amendment) defines quality evaluation as follows:

Quality evaluation: compares professional objectives with the operation of the institution in respect of result, efficiency and quality on the basis of a system of indicators prepared together with the professional community concerned. (Szanto, 2003)

The Tempus definition is more geared towards an ongoing process of (internal) evaluation of quality:

Quality evaluation – constant evaluation of the possibility of meeting the set demands.

Wojtczak (2002) defines evaluation in the context of medical education as:

A process that attempts to systematically and objectively determine the relevance, effectiveness, and impact of activities in light of their objectives. Evaluation can be related to structure, process, or outcome. One can distinguish these various types: individuals evaluation (see below) and programme evaluation.

Formative individual evaluation provides feedback to an individual (usually a learner) in order to improve that individual's performance. This type of evaluation identifies areas for improvement and provides specific suggestions for improvement serving as an educational tool.
Summative individual evaluation measures whether specific objectives were accomplished by an individual in order to place a value on the performance of that individual. It may certify competency or lack of competency in performance in a particular area.

associated issues

related terms