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.
____________________________________________________________________
Report
core definition
Report (n.) is the outcome of an evaluation process.
explanatory
context
A report is usually a written document
drawn up by (a subgroup or delegated individual representing) those who
undertook the quality review/evaluation/monitoring. The report of the
evaluators is usually made, in the first instance, to the agency commissioning
the review or its controlling committee (or equivalent).
The report is often shared, in the first
instance, with the reviewees for the sake of establishing accuracy. Any
decision that the quality review process requires is then based on the
(amended) report (along with whatever other evidence is required by the
decision-making body) and the outcome communicated to the reviewees. The
reviewees usually receive a full report along with the decision.
Often the report, or an edited version of
it, is published by the agency. Sometimes the institution also published the
report or elements of it on its web site (internet and/or intranet) along with
any self-evaluation and subsequent action plans or outcomes of action
pertaining to the report.
There are many variations on reporting by country and by type of
quality process.
analytical
review
CHEA (2001) refers to a team report in
the US and audit report in the UK, defined as:
Team Report:
(U.S.) The report of the evaluation resulting from a site visit by assessors of
a particular institution or program. Results in an accreditation or quality assurance
recommendation or denial (an adverse action).
Audit Report:
(U.K.) The document prepared following a quality assessment peer review team
site visit. The report generally focuses on institutional quality, academic
standards, learning infrastructure, and staffing. In Europe, the document is
more likely to be called an "evaluation report" or "assessment
report."
In the US
accreditation setting, the team report is distinguished from Ôthird-party
comment:
Third-Party Comment: (U.S.) Recognition
statement of a party (other than the
accreditor and the applicant) seeking to address an applicant's efforts to meet
an accrediting organization's recognition standards.
EVA describes a report in
the following terms:
Report: The evaluation is
concluded with a report. In the report, the evaluation group will present its
conclusions and proposals for quality improvement of the educational programme.
This could be a number of assessments and recommendations. Apart
from assessments and recommendations, the report also contains a description of
the aim and process of the evaluation and a presentation, assessment and analysis
of the material for documentation. The
evaluation group may also present its own views. Prior to publication, the
report is submitted for consultation with the evaluated establishments. This will give the
establishments the opportunity to comment on the report and correct any factual
errors. All the establishments that have participated will receive a copy of
the final report. Any other supplementary surveys will be published as separate
appendices together with the report but have to be ordered separately from EVA.
Whether
to make reports public or not depends on the aim of the report. Is the report
linked to accountability, compliance, control, informational or improvement
purposes? The nature and extent of publication of reports should take into
account the appropriate purpose.
related terms
sources
Council For Higher Education
Accreditation (CHEA) 2001, Glossary
of Key Terms in Quality Assurance and Accreditation, http://www.chea.org/international/inter_glossary01.html,
updated 8 May 2001.
Danmarks Evalueringsinstitut [Danish
Evaluation Institute] (EVA), 2004, Home / Knowledge and method / EVA's method /
Report, http://www.eva.dk/
undated, accessed, October, 2004.