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Article
Publication date: 11 October 2019

Vimbi Petrus Mahlangu

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the scholarship of diversity, equity and inclusivity in higher education. The focus is to advance an understanding of the issues…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the scholarship of diversity, equity and inclusivity in higher education. The focus is to advance an understanding of the issues concerning student admissions and access in higher education. The paper will contribute to the debate on student admissions and access in higher education. Among others, the author argues that in the context of higher education, access has different meanings.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is conceptual in approach and draws from extant literature and the review was used in compiling the paper. Interpretivist approach was used in understanding the topic. Relying on capabilities approach (CA) as a lens in understanding student admissions and access, the author argues that higher education institutions (HEIs) should consider opportunities (capabilities) for all students to live the lives that they have reason to value (valued functionings). CA works from the premise that human beings share universal capabilities and students’ life can be fulfilling if given the opportunity to exercise their capabilities by universities.

Findings

Universities can rely on students’ racial and ethnic backgrounds, socioeconomic status and students’ disabilities in admitting them. Diversity characteristics can be used as a tool to ensure the heterogeneity of the student population or as an unfair advantage given to students who might otherwise be deemed inadmissible on the basis of their academic or test performance. Factors such as changing demographics, public policy, institutional practices and marketing techniques seem to have a subtle influence on the process of admission. Students may experience challenges because of the “invisibility” of their disabilities due to a breakdown in communication within higher education systems.

Research limitations/implications

The paper relied on literature review only and this is its limitation. Literature review may have been influenced by selection bias of the author and is likely to include only those sources that are most consistent with the author’s personal opinion. Selection bias can arise when the inclusion and exclusion criteria for the review are not clearly stated and that might bias the findings.

Practical implications

Admission officials in HEIs are expected to conduct a diversity needs assessment before admissions with the aim of using the data to identify student population. The needs assessment can look at aspects such as the students’ racial and ethnic backgrounds, socioeconomic status and students’ disabilities to ensure access and success of all students.

Social implications

Inequities around access and admission for diverse groups of students in higher education are a reality worldwide. There is a worldwide trend within countries to see universities as contributors to economic growth, and many institutions are now increasingly attuned to the money economy. A student’s decision to apply on where to study may be influenced by the reputation of the institution.

Originality/value

This concept is relative and has different meanings depending on the nature of the work in question. The paper was compiled through literature review, all the sources used have been acknowledged, and the paper conveys the thoughts, interpretations and ideas of the author.

Details

International Journal of Educational Management, vol. 34 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0951-354X

Keywords

Content available
Article
Publication date: 19 September 2019

Vimbi Petrus Mahlangu

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the scholarship of diversity, equity and inclusivity in higher education. The focus is to advance an understanding of the issues…

1184

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the scholarship of diversity, equity and inclusivity in higher education. The focus is to advance an understanding of the issues concerning student admissions and access in higher education. The paper will contribute to the debate on student admissions and access in higher education. Among others, the author argues that in the context of higher education, access has different meanings.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is conceptual in approach and draws from extant literature and the review was used in compiling the paper. Interpretivist approach was used in understanding the topic. Relying on capabilities approach (CA) as a lens in understanding student admissions and access the author argues that higher Education Institutions should consider opportunities (capabilities) for all students to live the lives that they have reason to value (valued functionings). CA works from the premise that human beings share universal capabilities and students’ life can be fulfilling if given the opportunity to exercise their capabilities by universities.

Findings

Universities can rely on students’ racial and ethnic backgrounds, socioeconomic status and students’ disabilities in admitting them. Diversity characteristics can be used as a tool to ensure the heterogeneity of the student population or as an unfair advantage given to students who might otherwise be deemed inadmissible on the basis of their academic or test performance. Factors such as changing demographics, public policy, institutional practices and marketing techniques seem to have a subtle influence on the process of admission. Students may experience challenges because of the “invisibility” of their disabilities due to a breakdown in communication within higher education systems.

Research limitations/implications

The paper relied on literature review only and this is its limitation. Literature review may have been influenced by selection bias of the author and is likely to include only those sources that are most consistent with the author’s personal opinion. Selection bias can arise when the inclusion and exclusion criteria for the review are not clearly stated and that might bias the findings.

Practical implications

Admission officials in higher education institutions are expected to conduct a diversity needs assessment before admissions with the aim of using the data to identify student population. The needs assessment can look at aspects such as the students’ racial and ethnic backgrounds, socioeconomic status and students’ disabilities to ensure access and success of all students.

Social implications

Inequities around access and admission for diverse groups of students in higher education are a reality worldwide. There is a worldwide trend within countries to see universities as contributors to economic growth, and many institutions are now increasingly attuned to the money economy. A student’s decision to apply on where to study may be influenced by the reputation of the institution.

Originality/value

This concept is relative and has different meanings depending on the nature of the work in question. The paper was compiled through literature review, all the sources used have been acknowledged, and the paper conveys the thoughts, interpretations and ideas of the author.

Details

International Journal of Educational Management, vol. 34 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0951-354X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 1996

E.M. Ineson and R.F. Kempa

Aims to determine the nature of the criteria used in the selection of students for undergraduate courses and to establish the extent to which the academic and non‐academic…

426

Abstract

Aims to determine the nature of the criteria used in the selection of students for undergraduate courses and to establish the extent to which the academic and non‐academic qualities employed reflect and/or embrace those regarded as important by students’ subsequent employers. Considers findings from 25 in‐depth interviews with hotel and catering management UK undergraduate selectors representing 16 institutions, which provided sets of descriptors and an indication of the relative importances of the qualities sought. Concludes that there is little concordance between university admission officers’ and industrial employers’ selection criteria. Primarily, the former seek applicants whom they judge to be likely to complete the course successfully using academic measures, in contrast to the latter, who show a great interest in appropriate work experience and non‐academic qualities. Recommends that there should be better communication between undergraduate and industrial recruitment personnel concerning the “qualities that matter” in prospective students and industrial trainees and that, ideally, industrial representatives should have direct involvement in the recruitment of students to undergraduate courses.

Details

Education + Training, vol. 38 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0040-0912

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 August 2022

Fariba Hosseinpour, Mahyar Seddighi, Mohammad Amerzadeh and Sima Rafiei

This study aimed to compare mortality rate, length of stay (LOS) and hospitalization costs at different priority levels for a patient admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) at a…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to compare mortality rate, length of stay (LOS) and hospitalization costs at different priority levels for a patient admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) at a public tertiary hospital in Qazvin, Iran. This study also aimed to predict influencing factors on patients’ mortality, ICU LOS and hospitalization costs in different admission groups.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a retrospective cohort study among patients who mainly suffered from internal diseases admitted to an ICU of a public hospital. This study was conducted among 127 patients admitted to ICU from July to September 2019. The authors categorized patients into four groups based on two crucial hemodynamic and respiratory status criteria. The authors used a logistic regression model to predict the likelihood of mortality in ICU admitted patients during hospitalizations for the four prioritization groups. Furthermore, the authors conducted a multivariate analysis using the “enter” method to identify risk factors for LOS.

Findings

Results showed a statistically significant relationship between the priority of being admitted to ICU and hospitalization costs. The authors’ findings revealed that age, LOS and levels of consciousness had a predictability role in determining in-hospital mortality. Besides, age, gender, consciousness level of patients and type of the disease were mentioned as affecting factors of LOS.

Originality/value

This study’s findings emphasize the necessity of categorizing patients according to specific criteria to efficiently use available resources to help health-care authorities reduce the costs and allocate the budget to different health sectors.

Details

International Journal of Human Rights in Healthcare, vol. 17 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2056-4902

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 July 2021

Faisal A. Abdelfattah, Omar S. Obeidat, Yousef A. Salahat, Maha B. BinBakr and Adam A. Al Sultan

This study examined predictors of cumulative grade point average (GPA) from entrance scores and successive performance during students' academic work in university engineering…

Abstract

Purpose

This study examined predictors of cumulative grade point average (GPA) from entrance scores and successive performance during students' academic work in university engineering programs.

Design/methodology/approach

Scores from high school coursework, the General Ability Test and the Achievement Test were examined to determine if these factors and annual successive GPAs were predictors of long-term GPA. The sample consisted of 2,031 students registered in university engineering programs during the 2013–2019 period.

Findings

Correlations were significant between entrance scores and the preparatory year GPA but not with cumulative GPA. Also, correlations were significant between year-1 GPA to year-3 GPA and the graduation GPA. Adjacent year GPA is the better predictor of later GPA. More importantly, GPA at the time of graduation is well predicted by GPAs throughout years of study within engineering programs after controlling for entrance scores. Girls outperform boys in their entrance scores and GPAs. Hence, girls are likely to obtain higher cumulative GPAs.

Research limitations/implications

The implications of the study findings could help university faculty and administrators to understand the role of current entrance scores in predicting academic achievement of engineering students. In addition, the results could serve as a foundation to review weights of entrance scores for future developments and revisions. The findings of the study are limited to admission data for engineering students during the 2013–2019 period. Other disciplines may show a different pattern of relationships among the studied variables.

Practical implications

The study findings have useful practical implications for admitting and monitoring student progress at engineering education programs. Results may help program curriculum development specialists and committees in designing admission criteria.

Social implications

Administrators and faculty members are advised to consider entrance scores when providing counseling and monitoring throughout students' program-year progress. More attention should be devoted to university performance when interest is focused on later or graduation CGPA, with less emphasis on entrance scores.

Originality/value

The existed previous studies explored factors that influence the student performance in engineering programs. This study documents the role of admission criteria and successive GPAs in predicting the student graduation CGPA in engineering programs. Relationships between factors are crucial for engineering program revisions and policymaking.

Details

Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, vol. 14 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2050-7003

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 April 1993

Carole Veir

Reports the analysis of the data normally used to admit graduatestudents into US graduate programmes for preparing educators forleadership positions in schools. Further analyses…

Abstract

Reports the analysis of the data normally used to admit graduate students into US graduate programmes for preparing educators for leadership positions in schools. Further analyses the data of additional criteria used by one university in an attempt to provide more equitable evaluation of minority students. The results show significant differences in the scores of black and Hispanic females and other subgroups on standardized tests, but not on jobrelated measures. Recommendations include broadening the measures used to make decisions regarding candidates′ admittance to assure a more equitable pool of candidates to fulfil the needs of the rapidly changing demographics in the schools.

Details

Journal of Educational Administration, vol. 31 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0957-8234

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 December 2023

Bahaudin Ghulam Mujtaba

This paper aims to provide a historical overview of AA, its purpose and benefits, the legal rationale for the SCOTUS ruling and what it means for colleges and the workplace…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a historical overview of AA, its purpose and benefits, the legal rationale for the SCOTUS ruling and what it means for colleges and the workplace regarding equitable opportunities for minority groups (which include women, Blacks, Hispanics, Asians and other low-income populations), as they aim for the “American dream”.

Design/methodology/approach

SCOTUS decision and rationale, along with literature.

Findings

The race-based affirmative action (AA) precedent was recently overturned by the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) in the case of Students for Fair Admission (SFFA), Inc. vs President and Fellows of Harvard College/University of North Carolina. SCOTUS ruled that race cannot be a specific basis for college admission. In other words, public and private colleges and universities will no longer be able to consider “race” as a factor in deciding which qualified applicants should be admitted to enhance the diversity of their student body.

Originality/value

This is an original analysis.

Details

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-7149

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 December 2010

Evan Yacoub

Low security is a poorly understood concept, particularly in relation to people with an intellectual disability. Characteristics of patients offered an admission to low secure…

Abstract

Low security is a poorly understood concept, particularly in relation to people with an intellectual disability. Characteristics of patients offered an admission to low secure intellectual disability settings have not been robustly demonstrated. The same applies to staff perceptions of low security. The aims of the study were to ascertain the characteristics of patients referred to a low secure intellectual disability unit which lead to an offer of admission, identify the views of staff working on the unit on the concept of low security, and use both sets of data to discuss low secure provision for people with intellectual disability. A case‐controlled study was carried out for 33 patients referred to the unit over 42 months. The characteristics of 18 patients offered an admission were compared with those of 15 patients not offered an admission, and five of the staff working on the unit were interviewed about the concept of low security. Patients offered an admission were more able than those not offered an admission, posed more risks and were more complex diagnostically. Staff working on the unit agreed that their patients were complex, but felt that they were appropriately placed overall. The challenges of low secure provision were discussed by staff. Patients sampled were complex and heterogeneous, but not necessarily ‘forensic’. Their complexity requires sophisticated care plans and management strategies. This study has implications for referrers, staff, patients and managers, and highlights areas for future research.

Details

Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, vol. 4 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2044-1282

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 5 February 2016

Craig Tutterow and James A. Evans

University rankings and metrics have become an increasingly prominent basis of student decisions, generalized university reputation, and the resources university’s attract. We…

Abstract

University rankings and metrics have become an increasingly prominent basis of student decisions, generalized university reputation, and the resources university’s attract. We review the history of metrics in higher education and scholarship about the influence of ranking on the position and strategic behavior of universities and students. Most quantitative analyses on this topic estimate the influence of change in university rank on performance. These studies consistently identify a small, short-lived influence of rank shift on selectivity (e.g., one rank position corresponds to ≤1% more student applicants), comparable to ranking effects documented in other domains. This understates the larger system-level impact of metrification on universities, students, and the professions that surround them. We explore one system-level transformation likely influenced by the rise of rankings. Recent years have witnessed the rise of enrollment management and independent educational consultation. We illustrate a plausible pathway from ranking to this transformation: In an effort to improve rankings, universities solicit more applications from students to reduce their acceptance rate. Lower acceptance rates lead to more uncertainty for students about acceptance, leading them to apply to more schools, which decreases the probability that accepted students will attend. This leads to greater uncertainty about enrollment for students and universities and generates demand for new services to manage it. Because these and other system-level transformations are not as cleanly measured as rank position and performance, they have not received the same treatment or modeling attention in higher education scholarship, despite their importance for understanding and influencing education policy.

Details

The University Under Pressure
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78560-831-5

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 2016

Betty Nalukenge, Robert Wamala and Bruno Ocaya

Introduction of law school admission examinations has increased the debate regarding the relevance of prior studies for the enrollees in the program. The key issues of contention…

Abstract

Purpose

Introduction of law school admission examinations has increased the debate regarding the relevance of prior studies for the enrollees in the program. The key issues of contention are whether prior studies reliably predict academic achievement of enrollees, and demonstrate proficiencies required for admission in the program. The purpose of this paper is to use administrative records of law students at Makerere University – over a four-year stipulated period of bachelor’s studies – to investigate the above-mentioned issues further.

Design/methodology/approach

Panel data of 2,485 records enable us to explore time variant and invariant factors in the course of bachelor’s candidature.

Findings

About 81 per cent of differentials in academic achievement was found to be due to variation across students. In addition to confirming prior academic attainment as a contributing factor to variations in academic achievement, our findings affirm that competence in literature, history and divinity predicts success on the program.

Research limitations/implications

Competence in these subjects (literature, history and divinity) certainly demonstrates proficiencies required by a student of law. Thus, admission based on competence in these subjects provides insights into proficiencies required by enrollees to excel academically in the program.

Originality/value

Unlike prior studies, this study explores time-variant factors in the course of bachelor’s candidature, and is based on subjects taken during prior studies (secondary education) rather than a pooled index or weighted score adopted on admission to the program.

Details

Quality Assurance in Education, vol. 24 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0968-4883

Keywords

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