Mapping Diversity: Developing a European Classification of ... - U-Map

Introduction
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Rationale for the survey
The classifi cation is intended to be based on the actual behavior of higher education institutions.
The relevant dimensions of that behavior are organized in 14 ‘dimensions’ and measured with 32
indicators. The information on these indicators at the institutional level is diffi cult to fi nd in international
databases. National data sources usually have more relevant information but the use of such data
sources is limited because of various practical, legal, and even methodological problems.
Therefore a survey among higher education institutions was set up. This survey serves three
purposes:
• to assess the relevance of the dimensions selected
• to assess the quality of the indicators selected
• to provide data that will allow further analyses on the dimensions and their clustering and on the
indicators and their potential and pitfalls.
The results of the survey are presented in this annex. In the conclusion, some analyses and ideas
are discussed on how to proceed with the clustering of the dimensions and the transformation of the
survey results into a classifi cation tool.
Set up and response
Set up
The survey consists of two questionnaires: a questionnaire on the dimensions, querying the
relevance of the dimensions and the indicators selected, and a questionnaire on the indicators. The
latter asks both for data on the 32 indicators selected as well as for an assessment of the quality of
the indicators.
Draft questionnaires were developed based on the dimensions and indicators identifi ed and selected
at the end of phase I of the project (van Vught and Bartelse 2005). These draft questionnaires were
tested and discussed in the pilot survey of eight cases (including the two case studies reported in
annex II). Based on the results of these tests, the questionnaires were adjusted and put on-line for
the survey (for a pdf version of the questionnaires see www.cheps.org//ceihe_dimension.pdf and
www.cheps.org//ceihe_indicators.pdf).
The intended size of the sample for the survey was 100 higher education institutions. To keep the
non-response rate as low as possible, networks of higher education institutions as represented in the
Advisory Board were asked to introduce the project and identify contact persons. Around 160 higher
education institutions have been contacted. A second channel through which potential participants
to the survey were identifi ed was through an open web-based procedure. On the project website
(www.cheps.org/ceihe) higher education institutions could express their interest to participate.
Based on the information provided on the expression of interest form, the project team decided
whether an applicant could participate. In total 16 higher education institutions were selected this
way. A last way to invite institutions to participate was through national and international conferences.
At a number of occasions the project was presented and a call for participation was made. Although
it is not possible to determine how many responding higher education institutions came through that
MAPPING DIVERSITY