Indigenous Efforts at Individualizing Program Review: A Case Study. ASHE 1986 Annual Meeting Paper.

An expanded program review process that includes qualitative, ethnographic, retrospective, and subjective data is described. At the University of Kansas, qualitative indicators were developed and methods were designed to implement them. Reviews were moved from a process of reacting to quantitative self-studies to a procedure that involved: intensive interviews, solicitation of alumni judgments on the merit and worth of their experiences (as opposed to collecting only limited-response surveys), and solicitation of reviews by external consultants who are disciplinary specialists. Results of the expanded reviews included development of qualitative data collection procedures, increased desire for narratives and case studies that contribute to greater appreciation of departmental and program constraints, understanding of where flexibility might exist and where resources are strained, and the development of a "member check" process. This process verifies the accuracy of reports, checks for reliability, assesses the extent of assent with the findings and interpretations, and assures that all parties to the program review are fully informed of the report that is filed. Problems involved the training of faculty interviewers, commitment to the review, and coordinating with statewide reviews. (Author/SW)