Assessing the Culture of Evidence in Higher Education: A Tool for Measurement

• In Event: Poster Session 1
  In Poster Session: Assessing the Culture of Evidence: A Tool for Measurement

Abstract

The idea that institutions should develop a culture of evidence to identify “what works” in promoting student success has emerged and gained momentum in higher education in recent years. This paper discusses definitions of culture of evidence and identifies factors that are seen as most crucial in developing and institutionalizing one. A survey designed to measure an institution’s level of culture of evidence was developed, drawing from existing surveys, a literature review, and a “think-aloud” with an institutional research director. The development and refinement of the survey are discussed, as well as the sampling scheme. The paper concludes with a discussion of the use of the concept of culture of evidence as both a dependent and an independent variable.

Author

• Dawn M. Wallace-Pascoe, The Ohio State University - Columbus