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Is there a 'magic link' between research activity...and student satisfaction#

Bell, A. R., & Brooks, C. (2019). Is There a 'Magic Link' Between Research Activity, Professional Teaching Qualifications and Student Satisfaction? Higher Education Policy, 32(2), 227--248. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41307-018-0081-0

Area of inquiry#

Student satisfaction and its determinants

Research questions#

Methodology#

Systematic quantiative study of drivers of student satisfaction.

Quantiative analysis of NSS data - particularly quality satisfcation question. Combined with demographic data on teaching staff from another source. But the two data sets are organised differnetly. And also research data.

Findings#

Practical Recommendations#

Weaknesses and limitations#

Relationship to other research#

Satisfaction and teaching qualifications

  • Universities keen to maximise student satisfaction for various reasons
  • somewhat limited research on student satisfaction in the UK - references given
  • survey of students reveal 39% rating "formal training to teach" as key characteristic versus 17% research involvement - and other survey results
  • growing requirements for tertiary teachers to have formal qualifications
  • Layton and Brown (2011) argue that such moves are simplisitic and neoliberal
  • Thornton (2014) sees formal teaching quals as key to enhancing the student experience

Satisfaction versus outcomes and impact on practice

  • This paper finds no connection with student satisfaction
  • Cites papers that explore impact on learner outcomes and teacher practice (Thornton, 2012; Trigwell, 2013; Parsons et al 2012; Gibbs and Coffery, 2004) which show
  • academics benefit personally
  • students have learning gains as a result of the resultant learning experience

Further research#

  • obtaining a formal qual may be example of self selecting, only those that are keen do it.
  • Qualitiative research (smaller scale) examining the changes brought about by formal quals might be useful.