New research will help QAA Members enhance their use of data

Today sees the launch of a new QAA report exclusively for QAA Members. The report, Using Data to Enhance Outcomes, analyses the development and use of data-led quality assurance and enhancement within UK higher education providers, and its use in evidencing outcomes.

The report is based on research conducted by Shift Learning, a market research agency working specifically with the education sector. It will help QAA Members enhance their use of data by identifying key challenges to improving data-led quality enhancement and setting out recommendations on how these can be addressed.

The research sought to provide a picture of how the sector was using data to inform decision making, particularly in quality processes, and to identify the extent to which providers are creating a culture that puts data at its core. The research also investigates how providers monitor and evaluate the impact of data-led approaches to quality assurance and enhancement.

The research findings are based on a survey of 83 QAA Member institutions and 32 qualitative interviews. A further eight interviews are planned for early 2021 to inform the development of detailed case studies that will be published as supporting materials for QAA Members.

The executive summary is available on the QAA website. A suite of additional resources on data enhancement will be published in the coming months, and there will be opportunities for QAA Members to discuss the report in forthcoming online events.