study of environments to support e- learning in uk further and ... - Jisc

Environments to support e-Learning In UK Further and Higher Education
SURVEY PROCESS AND CHARACTERISTICS
10. The Survey findings in this report are based upon a sample survey of 235 HE and FE
institutions across the UK.
Survey universe
11.As in the earlier (2003) study, the universe was defined as “all HE and FE institutions in
the UK”, a definition that included the full range of FE colleges, universities and other
institutions recognised as belonging to these sectors. The list of institutions was based on
that used in the earlier study, updated by reference to a number of online and other
resources. Where necessary, outstanding queries were reconciled by telephone with the
relevant institutions. The end result was an up to date list of 751 unique FE and HE
institutions across the UK. The total divided into 539 FE and 212 HE institutions. 6 of each
type were found to have closed or merged, thus the number of institutions in the survey
universe reduced to 739 – 533 FE and 206 HE.
Questionnaire
12. The questionnaire used in the survey was based on that used in the MLE landscape
study in 2003 in order to maintain a level of comparability. Changes were made where it was
felt appropriate in order to reflect changes in the field since the previous study. The end
result was the questionnaire appended to this report (Appendix 1), which was mailed to all
739 identified institutions at the beginning of March 2005. The questionnaire was addressed
to the Vice-Chancellor or Principal, with a request to pass it on to a relevant individual. A
web-based version of the questionnaire was also made available for those that wished to
complete it online.
13. Institutions were asked to indicate to whom the questionnaire had been forwarded,
information that then enabled a programme of telephone calls to chase up non-responding
institutions.
Response rate
14. From the universe of 739 institutions contacted, a total of 235 completed questionnaires
were received, a response rate of 32%. The response rate among HE institutions was
noticeably higher at 41% compared with 28% for FE.
Total FE HE
Outcome
(739) (533) (206)
N % N % N %
Questionnaire received 235 32 150 28 85 41
Promised but never turned up 22 3 8 2 14 2
No questionnaire 482 65 375 70 107 57
Appendix 3 lists the respondents’ institutions for the 2005 and 2003 surveys.
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