Validation of the Higher Education Commission Quality Assurance Indicators used for Self-Assessment Mechanism at Universities in Punjab Province"

Abstract

The basic objective of the study was to determine the content validation of Higher Education Commission’s quality assurance indicators used for self-assessment of academic programs at universities in Pakistan. The recommendations of the study are helpful for HEC, university authorities, teachers, students and policy-making institutions to assure quality of higher education. University teachers of various levels were considered as experts for content validation of quality assurance indicators. One hundred sixty university teachers from eight public sector universities from Punjab province were randomly selected for content validation of quality assurance indicators. The rating scales concerning HEC quality assurance indicators; Employers’ input on quality of education, Faculty members’ satisfaction level, Graduating students’ input on quality of education and Alumni input on quality of education were administered to the experts for its content validation. Quantitative data were analyzed by calculating percentage, mean value, and standard deviation. Qualitative data were analyzed by identifying themes. Demographic variations were measured by applying ANOVA. Resultantly the present study determined HEC quality assurance indicators. It was noted that majority of the experts restated and gave comments on stated indicators. The results confirmed that the procedure of content validation of indicators is indispensable for the development of self-assessment scales for effective quality determination. It is recommended that quality of education may be enhanced through effective self-assessment mechanism which stays alive based on validated quality assurance indicators. Further it is recommended that content validation on remaining Higher Education Commission’s quality assurance indicators may be determined.