The Role of Theory in Ethnographic… : DASH Story 2015-08-18
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My research involves a study of the inner workings of Australian universities, with an emphasis on course accreditation procedures. I am enrolled in a PhD where I am examining the relationship between Shared Governance Theory and Higher Education Risk Management when courses are presented for accreditation. The vast majority of Australian universities are publically owned and funded and for this reason are closely monitored by the government, although all have the right through their enabling legislation to accredit the programs leading to their awards without external intervention. No standard method has been prescribed for doing this, however, and the procedures adopted vary markedly from one institution to another. My research focuses on the commonalities and differences between these procedures which I am seeking to explain in terms of Shared Governance and Risk Management.
I have taken an ethnological approach to the examination of university communities, particularly the interaction that exists between members of course accreditation panels. I found the paper on the role of theory in Ethnographic Research extremely valuable and I thank Harvard for making it available.
Country
AU