Student Feedback
Purpose and Principles

The following information describes the purpose of using Student Feedback at the University and the principles involved in collecting and using this data.

Purpose

Student feedback should be a key feature of all University quality management processes and has two main purposes.

1. The enhancement of the student experience
2. To assure the University of the standards and quality of its provision

Principles

The following principles were set out by the Student Feedback Working Group (October 2003) and define the foundation for obtaining and using student feedback within the University.

• Students should have the opportunity to have their views represented in decisions which may affect them.  This is achieved through the Student representation on University Committees.
• Students at the University have the the right to have their views carefully considered and to receive information on results of the feedback provided and any action taken as a result.  Where this is not possible, for reasons of confidentiality relating to an individual member of staff or student, information should be provided on the process followed by the University once feedback is obtained and the possible outcomes.
• Enhancing the student experience relies on improvement being made during the period of study for students whose views are elicited.  The key methods of ensuring that student feedback informs these improvements are the Student/Staff Consultative Committee and the Adviser of Studies process.  Both systems enable immediate action to be taken on issues arising to effect change for current students.
• Whilst some feedback methods require independent methods of collection, and while results may be centrally analysed and reported, responsibility for the action should remain with the relevant Faculty or department.
• Students are expected to adopt a responsible and thoughtful attitude when providing feedback. 
• Methods of collecting student feedback should seek to ensure that the student  is able to express their views freely without fear of being disadvantaged and that the method of collection and analysis is free from the risk of distortion and manipulation.
• Methods of collecting student feedback should be appropriate to both purpose and situation.  A wide range of methods should be used across the institution to prevent questionnaire fatigue and to reflect the range of information required.
• Monitoring the effectiveness of the student feedback methods used by Faculties will be achieved through the Annual Subject Monitoring and subject revalidation processes.

Approach

Student feedback within the University should be pursued through a strategic approach to the collection of student views.  The framework should ensure that student opinion is gathered in a structured way throughout the institution and should avoid duplication.  The strategic approach involves two processes.

1. Quality assurance at institutional level which may result in further identification of issues and investigation and enhancement activity at progressively lower levels within the University.  Collection at institutional level involves increased formality in procedures and uses primarily quantitative approaches that focus on quality assurance.
2. Providing the opportunity for individual students to express their views and raising issues which may be considered at higher levels within the institution, facilitating appropriate enhancement activity.  A range of formal and informal procedures based on qualitative methods aimed at  identifying issues at faculty, school or department level are used.  These form the basis for quality enhancement at module, programme, subject or faculty/department level.

Copyright © University of Ulster