University Degree Quality Assessment Scale

Abstract

This study presents the design and validation of a scale to assess the quality of Bachelor Degree from the perspectives of college lecturers and undergraduates. 345 undergraduates and 252 college lecturers participated (N = 597) from Education Faculties across various Spanish universities. The factor structure of the ad hoc scale was obtained with the exploratory structural model, using Oblimin rotation, confirming the number of factors by means of the method of least squares weighted estimation adjusted to both mean and variance. The results showed a five-factor model: infrastructure, methodology and professor, resources, undergraduates and satisfaction. Both the construct and the factors comprising the scale demonstrated adequate reliability. The factors also show good discrimination with respect to the role of the teacher-student. This instrument is presented as an innovative tool that uniquely and collectively captures the perceptions of college lectures and undergraduates regarding the quality of undergraduate degrees in higher education. Furthermore, it offers the opportunity for these perceptions, once data have been collected, to have a significantly influence educational practice and the structure (curricula, teaching organization, etc.) of Spanish universities.