Soaib Asimiran

Case Study as a Choice in Qualitative Methodology

The relegation of qualitative research to subordinate status decades ago has given way to its appreciation as a means of conducting studies that beg for deep thrust, humanistic adjustment and rich interpretation. Hence attention is now focused on when it should be used as opposed to relevance and credibility issues. This literature review argues to emphasize the place of qualitative research through its need and relevance before focusing on the case study method by unraveling its significance, what it does and when it is most apt for use in the qualitative research schema . In particular, it argues on the need to have three important components addressed in case studies to unearth a more holistic view: the process or practice, the interaction within such a process and the meaning of such interaction.

Historical development of higher education and quality assurance in Southeast Asia

This paper reflects on the historical development of higher education and quality assurance in Southeast Asia with examples of some countries within, in broader view, while highlighting developments in Malaysia. It explains conflated and diverse models of education by visiting events in the colonial era and thrusting through the continuum to what exists today before explaining the historical underpinnings of quality assurance especially the rich and diverse models practiced by countries across the region. The narrative or comprehensive methodology chosen reveal that while activities that occurred during the colonial era played some part in influencing the current education models, the frail foundations of education left by the colonial legacy contributed to the trail of diverse models by the countries concerned. The quest for development guided by good practices has also played immeasurably into the choice of models of education being tried and most significantly investment in higher education as a springboard to national development.

Quality Assurance Implementation Practices in Selected Malaysian Public Universities

The quest to improve and compete globally has prompted universities around the world to subscribe to quality assurance practices and the Malaysian public universities are no exception. This study was conducted with the aim of exploring the quality assurance practices in Malaysian public universities and the challenges faced by those entrusted to oversee the implementation processes. Utilizing qualitative approach, we examined in-depth the experiences and views of fourteen informants through interviews, who were entrusted with managing quality assurance practices in the selected universities. Four major themes emerged comprising commitment to addressing quality assurance, quality management system, understanding of quality assurance implementation, and challenge to nurture quality culture. Interestingly, the universities have well documented policies on quality assurance implementation and proper structures to oversee the quality assurance practices adhering to government policies and aspirations. However, there were differences in the interpretation and understanding of quality assurance practices among the two major groups of informants, the academics and the full time career administrators. Despite the efforts also, the universities faced with various challenges to nurture quality culture among the staff and much more are still needed if Malaysian universities are to be regarded as providing quality services within the framework of quality assurance practices.

Quality Management in Asian Universities: Lessons from the European and American Universities

Quality management has taken ascendancy in the universities in particular due, inter alia, to the loss of their status as ivory towers. Hence, quality management in universities takes prominence over several other initiatives. Attention is not only drawn on whether it is primed in universities but also on its practicability and the mechanism for gauging how it is performing. The first pronouncement that comes from universities in their websites, advertisements, and banners and indeed in any policy pronouncement or at any other opportunity is how they are committed to quality, what is being done about it and the status of quality management. This paper compares the quality management in the western and American universities and what Asian countries have learnt from both. Their interaction and corresponding accountability to regulating agencies prompt them to align their existence to such needs into their higher educational frameworks.

The resistance to change in implementation of total quality management (TQM) in Iranian schools

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify the level of resistance to change in implementation of total quality management (TQM) in Iranian schools and investigate the influence of principals’ and teachers’ gender and years of experience on resistance to change. Design/methodology/approach – This study presents the results of survey research carried out in Iran. The participants of this study are secondary school principals and teachers. The researchers employed descriptive analysis on data collected. Independent sample t-test was used to determine the difference in resistance to change based on teachers and principals gender, and one-way ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis H-test were applied to determine the difference in resistance of teachers and principals based on years of experience. Findings – The researchers found that the level of resistance to change in Iranian schools is medium; the most important factor for resistance to change is confidence in the status quo. Gender has an effect on resistance ...