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Defining Quality

Harvey, Lee, Green, Diana·1993·Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education
DOI 10.1080/0260293930180102
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Abstract

This paper addresses the nature of the concept of quality in relation to higher education. It analyses ways of thinking about quality, considers their relevance to higher education, explores their interrelationships and examines their philosophical and political underpinnings. The relative nature of quality is examined. First, quality means different things to different people. Second, quality is relative to ‘processes’ or ‘outcomes’. The widely differing conceptualisations of quality are grouped into five discrete but interrelated categories. Quality can be viewed as exception, as perfection, as fitness for purpose, as value for money and as transformative. Determining criteria for assessing quality in higher education requires an understanding of different conceptions of quality that inform the preferences of stakeholders.

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Metadata

Authors
Harvey, L., & Green, D.
Venue
Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Published
1993-01
Volume
18
Issue
1
Pages
9-34
ISSN
  • 0260-2938 (ISSN-L)
  • 1469-297X
DOI
10.1080/0260293930180102
OpenAlex
W4210989164
Cited by
1,278
References
0
FWCI
61.91
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed

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