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The Irish Universities Study is being carried out on behalf of the Irish Universities Association by the UCD Geary Institute and is sponsored by the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF).
About the Irish Universities Study:
The Irish Universities Study is a web-based survey examining the 3rd and 4th level student population in the seven Irish universities: Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick, Dublin City University, National University of Ireland Maynooth, University College Dublin, University College Cork and National University of Ireland Galway. The study uses web-surveying techniques which are more flexible, cost effective and rapid than conventional methods of data gathering. It is intended that the project will create a longitudinal database; individuals will be followed up as they progress through the university system.
Module 1 of the student survey has recently been completed. It captures demographic variables and core information about the student population such as area of study and academic performance. This has resulted in a significant base of data on the demographic backgrounds of students. The survey also provides relevant information about participants' academic experiences as well as the social and personal dimensions of their lives. It includes sections on time use, health and well-being. All questions are tailored to relevant sub-groups via pre-programmed routing.
The purpose of Module 2 is to create a student feedback system on all aspects of the university campus ranging from satisfaction with teaching to satisfaction with university services and supports. This data will allow us to highlight areas which policy needs to focus on in the future.
As well as targeting the 3rd and 4th level student population, the Irish Universities Study will also survey contract researchers in the universities. The contract researcher survey will cover a wide range of issues ranging from working conditions to family life. The questionnaire has been developed through an extensive review of previous national and international studies on researchers, consultation with contract researchers and the expertise of policy makers.
The large-scale and rapid surveying capacity of the Irish Universities Study will enable responsiveness on the part of the education sector to the dynamics of the 3rd and 4th level environment. It will also help in the establishment of formal, well-informed international benchmarking processes for the sector. This is a unique, global study with commensurate scientific implications, creating real ‘science to policy' synergies extendable to the broader Higher Education sector.
Notice to students who were asked to participate in Module 1 of the study:
The second round of the survey that was scheduled to take place before the end of the college year (2007/08) has now been cancelled. Your completion of the single survey that you have been sent qualifies you for entry to the prize draw.
The survey closed on Friday 19th June 2008. Winners of the 15 prizes of €1,000 have been notified.
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