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Conducting evaluations in the earlier system
The process of evaluating subject areas (main fields of study) and study programmes by Högskoleverket (Swedish National Agency for Higher Education) took place on a cyclical basis and comprised several stages.
The Swedish National Agency for Higher Education (Agency) decided which subject areas or study programmes that should be evaluated during a particular year throughout Sweden.
The individual departments of HEIs were asked to analyse and reflect upon their own activities by conducting self-evaluations and submitting them to the Agency together with other requested documentation and statistics.
Questionnaires were sent to students and teachers involved in the subject areas or study programmes and the responses were submitted to the Agency.
A panel of assessors was appointed including individuals with research and teaching skills and experience from HEIs in Sweden and abroad, and sometimes representatives from the private sector. The panel also included a student representative, or a doctoral student representative depending on level of evaluation.
On the basis of the submitted information, a national overview of a subject area or study programme was created. This included: where in Sweden the subject area or study programme was offered and the different programme profiles adopted, the number of students in each subject area or study programme, the number and background of teaching staff involved in the subject area or study programme, the resources and infrastructure available, and the overall standard of the subject area or study programme.
From the national overview, a number of subject areas or study programmes were selected for special review. The selection was based on several criteria but usually the subject areas or study programmes selected for special review were those where the quality was in doubt.
The panel of assessors wrote a report about its findings including a list of recommendations for improvement where necessary.
If a HEI had its degree awarding powers questioned, the situation was reviewed after one year. If the shortcomings had not been remedied, the entitlement of the HEI to award the degree was withdrawn.
There was a follow-up evaluation after three years of any HEI that had been subject to a special review to ensure that the recommendations for improvement had been acted upon.
Subject areas or study programmes selected
The Swedish National Agency for Higher Education (Agency) decided which subject areas or study programmes that should be evaluated during a particular year throughout Sweden.
Self-evaluations
The individual departments of HEIs were asked to analyse and reflect upon their own activities by conducting self-evaluations and submitting them to the Agency together with other requested documentation and statistics.
Web surveys
Questionnaires were sent to students and teachers involved in the subject areas or study programmes and the responses were submitted to the Agency.
Panel of assessors
A panel of assessors was appointed including individuals with research and teaching skills and experience from HEIs in Sweden and abroad, and sometimes representatives from the private sector. The panel also included a student representative, or a doctoral student representative depending on level of evaluation.
National overview
On the basis of the submitted information, a national overview of a subject area or study programme was created. This included: where in Sweden the subject area or study programme was offered and the different programme profiles adopted, the number of students in each subject area or study programme, the number and background of teaching staff involved in the subject area or study programme, the resources and infrastructure available, and the overall standard of the subject area or study programme.
Selection for special review
From the national overview, a number of subject areas or study programmes were selected for special review. The selection was based on several criteria but usually the subject areas or study programmes selected for special review were those where the quality was in doubt.
The purpose of the review was to gain a deeper understanding of the subject area or study programme and consider its strengths and weaknesses. The panel of assessors visited the HEI and met the head of department, faculty chair or vice-chancellor, teaching and administrative staff, and students.
Report
The panel of assessors wrote a report about its findings including a list of recommendations for improvement where necessary.
If a subject area or study programme had serious shortcomings, the degree awarding powers of the HEI were questioned.
Follow-up after one year
If a HEI had its degree awarding powers questioned, the situation was reviewed after one year. If the shortcomings had not been remedied, the entitlement of the HEI to award the degree was withdrawn.
Follow-up after three years
There was a follow-up evaluation after three years of any HEI that had been subject to a special review to ensure that the recommendations for improvement had been acted upon.
Last updated: 2010-04-20
Contact: Joakim Palestro, Email: firstname.lastname@hsv.se
Contact: Joakim Palestro, Email: firstname.lastname@hsv.se
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Swedish National Agency for Higher Education Visting address: Luntmakargatan 13 Box 7851, 103 99 Stockholm
Phone: 08-563 085 00 Fax: 08-563 085 50 Email: hsv@hsv.se
Phone: 08-563 085 00 Fax: 08-563 085 50 Email: hsv@hsv.se
