Transformative quality of doctoral education: the way new standards are negotiated. System dynamics approach

Abstract

Quality is a concept that leads every discussion about public policy of higher education (HE). Typically, state's external regulation of the quality of doctoral education is supported by internal self regulation, where a certain level of the quality of doctoral education is ensured by long lasting internal “common” practice. For example, the process of doctoral degree awarding (DDA) is an instance where the state regulates requirements for the process and personnel involved. The goal of this study is to analyse the practice of doctoral degree awarding in Lithuania (selection of DDA members and the DDA process) and determine actual factors that stimulate transformation of the quality of doctoral education. The research is based on the qualitative approach using semi structural interviews. Informants for interviews were selected from the list of DDA committees that operated in Lithuania in 2010-2011. On the basis of the qualitative research data, we have constructed an explanatory causal loop diagram explaining the nature of the transformation of the quality that is a result of negotiation between academia and state regulators. Dynamic hypotheses are based on threefold causal loops: adoption of new state regulation, implementation of state regulation and formation of new tolerance to quality.