External assessors' reports – do they provide valid and useful information?

Abstract

The engagement of external assessors or examiners is one of the approaches which may contribute to overall quality assurance in institutions of higher learning . Aims: The aim of the present study was to determine the quality of the reports received following an onsite visit, utilizing a purposefully designed template, and identify any significant shortcomings. Results: Only 90% of the expected reports were ever received, with 66% of reports being received unacceptably late. Just over 18% were deemed to be of excellent quality, while 32% were classified as being below average or poor demonstrating questionable academic professional responsibility of certain examiners. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that the systems to ensure quality need to be audited on a regular basis to ensure that their purpose is being met.