ItemArticle

Thematic Analysis of Quality Assurance Tools in Higher Education Institutions

Title
Thematic Analysis of Quality Assurance Tools in Higher Education Institutions
Creator
George, Geo Kuruvila; Ramakrishnan, N.; Kurien, Georgy P; Nair, Sreerengan V R
Description
Quality assurance tools are crucial in maintaining and improving higher education institutions standards, credibility and effectiveness. They ensure standardisation, institutional credibility, competitiveness, academic rigour and research quality, enhancing the teaching and learning experience. This article aims to qualitatively analyse various quality measurement tools, such as accreditation, ranking, peer review and student-led evaluation, used in the context of higher education institutions. Various qualitative analysis tools such as content analysis, thematic analysis and grounded theory approach were analysed first. Out of this, thematic analysis was selected for the qualitative analysis as the data and analysis are from literature and expert opinion, which lack primary data. The codes for the thematic analysis were taken from previous literature. The codes have operational definitions and are categorised into Input, Process and Output themes. Code values were assigned for the quality assurance tools for each code. The code count for the various themes helped to identify the usability of various tools. The study was based on Ludwigs theme generated from the Input, Process and Output system theory. The study found that accreditation is the best tool for qualitatively and quantitatively analysing an institution. It can be an ideal tool for quality assurance for an institution. Peer review, ranking and student-led evaluation ranked next in the quality assurance tool. This study aids organisations, governmental agencies and other educational institution stakeholders to select the best method for comparing institutions during admissions, grants processing and other processes. The study adopted the qualitative analysis tool thematic analysis. Hence, the study has subjective bias and is not free from the limitation of thematic analysis. The modelling approach is directed towards prediction rather than casualty. The study has taken the literature reviews and expert opinion into account. However, structured questionnaires and unstructured interviews helped better categorise the various codes into the respective themes. The statistical analysis would have made the observation more robust. This article fulfils an identified need to analyse the ideal quality assurance tool for quality assurance and measurement for institutions. This helps institutions meet national and international accreditation standards, policy formulation, strategic planning, continuous improvement, faculty workload distribution, accountability and boosts institutional reputation. 2026 Unisa Press.
Source
Africa Education Review;Volume;21;Issue;5;pp.57-88
Date
01-01-2025
Publisher
Routledge
Subject
accreditation; Higher education institutions; peer review; ranking; student-led evaluation; thematic analysis
Coverage
George G.K., CHRIST (Deemed to be University), School of Business and Management, Bengaluru, India; Ramakrishnan N., CHRIST (Deemed to be University), School of Business and Management, Bengaluru, India; Kurien G.P., CHRIST (Deemed to be University), School of Business and Management, Bengaluru, India; Nair S.V.R., CHRIST (Deemed to be University), School of Business and Management, Bengaluru, India
Rights
Restricted Access; Hardcopy may be available in the library
Relation
ISSN: 18146627;
Format
online
Language
English
Type
Article

Citation

George, Geo Kuruvila; Ramakrishnan, N.; Kurien, Georgy P; Nair, Sreerengan V R, “Thematic Analysis of Quality Assurance Tools in Higher Education Institutions,” CHRIST (Deemed To Be University) Institutional Repository, accessed June 18, 2026, https://archives.christuniversity.in/items/show/22747.

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