Title: Academic analytics: a meta-analysis of its applications in higher education

Authors: Yuen Yee Wong

Addresses: Hong Kong Institute of Professional Communication, 5A, 34 Haiphong Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Abstract: Academic analytics is being practised increasingly in higher education institutions. Through analyses of data patterns, it provides information for evidence-based decisions for standards of learning and teaching services as well as for promoting operational effectiveness and cost-efficiency in administration. This study reviews 30 cases of academic analytics in universities and colleges to determine how analytics has been carried out for teaching and learning purposes as well as for educational administration. It investigates the types of data collected for higher education analytics, the level of analyses carried out, and the functions to be achieved. The results show that the analyses so far have been oriented to teaching and learning. There is considerable room for development in the administration area. The cases analysed appear to focus on the use of data that are readily available. This article also suggests points to note for further studies and future academic analytics endeavours.

Keywords: academic analytics; actionable analytics; education management; higher education; learning analytics; meta-analysis; operational effectiveness; predictive analytics; universities; colleges; teaching and learning; educational administration.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSS.2016.077957

International Journal of Services and Standards, 2016 Vol.11 No.2, pp.176 - 192

Received: 16 May 2016
Accepted: 07 Jun 2016
Published online: 23 Jul 2016 *

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