Title: Some statistical characteristics of performance indicators for continued advancement of HEIs

Authors: Abdullah M. Al-Sarmi; Zuhair A. Al-Hemyari

Addresses: Ministry of Higher Education, Sultanate of Oman ' Ministry of Higher Education, Sultanate of Oman

Abstract: This paper has examined the characteristics and quality properties of statistical indicators which were used to assess the activities and the performance of higher education institutions (HEIs). In order to do so, 150 statistical indicators have been reviewed and a questionnaire has been modified and distributed to measure the characteristics of the proposed indicators such as feasibility, reliability and validity. Furthermore, the relationship between the indicators and the objectives, the clarity of indicators, as well as the test of the differences of ratings, Cronbach's alpha reliability, and Cronbach's alpha, in case items are deleted from the instrument, have been examined. The paper furnished optimistic information in respect to the characteristics of statistical indicators. It shows that a package of indicators is significant, important, clear and feasible/valid/reliable. In addition, this study has provided extensive information of how to identify the relationship between indicators and objectives of HEIs and how educational objectives can be refined into statistical indicators. Findings, conclusions, recommendations and limitations are then summarised and described.

Keywords: performance measurement; qualitative indicators; quantitative indicators; surveys; data collection; data analysis; characteristics; HEIs; higher education institutions; educational objectives; statistical indicators.

DOI: 10.1504/IJQI.2014.066385

International Journal of Quality and Innovation, 2014 Vol.2 No.3/4, pp.285 - 309

Published online: 23 Dec 2014 *

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