Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
YÜKSEKÖĞRETIM DERGISI, cilt.12, sa.12 supp, ss.85-98, 2022 (ESCI)
Changing economic, cultural, political, and social conditions worldwide
have a big impact on higher education. Under the influence of changing
conditions, the functional scope of higher education institutions has
expanded and new functions have been added. In addition to these
changes, the demand for higher education institutions is increasing day
by day in terms of education, research, and service to society. The
expanding functions of higher education and its deepening impact on
society call for quality activities of higher education institutions.
Therefore, institutional quality evaluation processes are carried out in
higher education institutions. This study aims to analyze and compare
institutional quality evaluation processes applied in Turkish, European,
and American higher education systems. The findings obtained are
important as they will contribute to the Higher Education Quality
Council of Turkey, quality commissions in higher education institutions,
and other researchers who will conduct scientific studies on this subject.
It is a descriptive and qualitative study whose sample consists of institutional
quality evaluation agencies from Turkey, England, Norway,
Finland, and the United States of America. The data in the study were
collected and analyzed by applying the document analysis method. The
findings indicate that institutional external evaluation or audit models are
used in Turkey, England, Norway, and Finland while an institutional
accreditation system is used in the USA. Although the quality evaluation
processes applied are generally similar in terms of basic objectives,
assessed dimensions, assessment approach, people involved in the implementation
of the assessment, and assessment type, there are differences in
aspects such as the management, coordination, and recognition practices
of the countries’ higher education systems. Taking into account national
circumstances, the institutional quality evaluation processes in the
Turkish higher education system should be organized and implemented
in a systematic way to ensure quality higher educational practice.
Keywords: Higher education, higher education evaluation, institutional
quality evaluation.