A case for using both direct and indirect benchmarking to compare university performance metrics

Harris, WE; Langan, AM; Barrett, NFS; Jack, K; Wibberley, C; Hamshire, C

Abstract

Benchmarking is used in higher education as a means to improve and compare performance. Comparative metric benchmarks may take two forms, based on direct standardization (DS) or indirect standardization (IS). DS can be used to measure variation in performance between institutions, controlling for intrinsic differences at each institution (e.g. controlling for differences in student typologies). IS can be used to measure variation in performance between institutions, compared to average performance overall. Typically, IS has been used to moderate educational output metrics, such as student qualification and satisfaction. We contrast the two approaches with an example dataset for three years of nursing student completion rates from nine institutions. Profiles of benchmarks and actual performance indicated that both approaches provide valuable and different perspectives to comparisons of institutional performance. We discuss the potential merits to stakeholders of each approach and conclude that decision-making can be best informed using both benchmark methods.

Citation

Harris, W., Langan, A., Barrett, N., Jack, K., Wibberley, C., & Hamshire, C. (2018). A case for using both direct and indirect benchmarking to compare university performance metrics. Studies in Higher Education, 44(12), 2281-2292. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2018.1490893

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Online Publication Date: Jul 17, 2018
• Publication Date: Jul 17, 2018
• Deposit Date: Dec 16, 2019
• Journal: Studies in Higher Education
• Print ISSN: 0307-5079
• Electronic ISSN: 1470-174X
• Publisher: Routledge
• Volume: 44
• Issue: 12
• Pages: 2281-2292
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2018.1490893
• Keywords: Education
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2018.1490893
• Related Public URLs: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/cshe20/current
• Additional Information: Additional Information : ** From Crossref via Jisc Publications Router **Journal IDs: pissn 0307-5079; eissn 1470-174X **History: published 02-12-2019; issued 17-07-2018; published_online 17-07-2018