Evaluation, progress and planning - Evidence for Enhancement

During each Enhancement Theme, Scottish institutions take part in a wide range of activities. Each institution works on activities that are based on their individual priorities and ambitions. We publish a range of reports that highlight the variety and richness of this work.

We evaluate the work of the Theme and report on the effectiveness. This is important as it helps us understand how we are making a difference to the student experience and helps identify learning that we can carry forward into future Theme activity.

A Theme evaluation report, which explores how the the Evidence for Enhancement Theme contributed to the development of a more evidence-informed culture within the higher education institutions in Scotland, was published by QAA Scotland in March 2021.

Institutional activity

We need your feedback

We have developed several resources across the Theme’s three sector level strands. They range from research reports, short practically-focused documents and web-hosted resources. We are really interested to know how you have used these resources in your institutions. Share your experiences to help us with the Theme's work. Your support will make an important contribution to our evaluation work helping us to identify what you find most valuable and informing how we continue to promote and develop this Theme’s work.

Take part in our survey

Theme Evaluation

Our Theme evaluation approach is based on a logic chain model. The model is being applied to all levels of activity:

institutional
collaborative cluster
sector strand projects.

Projects being evaluated are using an in-depth or light-touch method.

Evaluation activity support

Evaluation tools and guidance

Publication Date: 29 Sep 2020

A summary of the resources to support Theme evaluation and impact work including a recorded Zoom session and PowerPoint slides sharing the approach of one institution in completing its work.

Author:	QAA Scotland
Format:	PDF
Size:	0.86 MB

WEBINAR - EVIDENCE FOR ENHANCEMENT: IMPACT EVALUATION

Our evaluation webinar, delivered by our consultant, Professor Liz Thomas, provides insight into the work, including:

an overview of the evaluation approach
reviews what has been achieved so far, including sharing some of the learning and impact
gives further guidance about what is required in the final year of this work.

Other evaluation activity resources

Evaluation Guidance

Publication Date: 01 Apr 2020

The purpose of this short briefing note is to offer additional guidance on evaluation activity to support completion of this work over the next few months.

Author:	QAA Scotland
Format:	PDF
Size:	0.12 MB

Light touch evaluation template

Publication Date: 22 Oct 2019

The purpose of this document is to support the collection of evidence of impact for smaller projects, which may operate in one part of the institution, e.g. through a funded-project, as a result of a larger intervention or following the identification and sharing of practice. This work relates to the Enhancement Theme, Evidence for Enhancement.

Author:	QAA Scotland
Format:	DOCX
Size:	0.10 MB

In depth evaluation template (planning)

Publication Date: 22 Oct 2019

The purpose of this document is to support the evaluation approach based on a logic chain model during the planning stage. This work relates to the Enhancement Theme, Evidence for Enhancement.

Author:	QAA Scotland
Format:	DOCX
Size:	0.09 MB

In-depth reporting template

Publication Date: 04 Dec 2019

Reporting template for in-depth evaluation. This work relates to the Enhancement Theme, Evidence for Enhancement.

Author:	QAA Scotland
Format:	DOCX
Size:	0.08 MB

Example of in-depth reporting

Publication Date: 04 Dec 2019

This example is part of the programme theory evaluation, informed by a generic logic chain. This evaluation work relates to the Enhancement Theme, Evidence for Enhancement.

Author:	QAA Scotland
Format:	PDF
Size:	0.33 MB

Impact Evaluation Workshop (December 2018)

Publication Date: 22 Oct 2019

Workshop presentation from the Theme Leaders' Group meeting held in Edinburgh on 6th December 2018, to provide further information about the impact evaluation work. This work relates to the Enhancement Theme, Evidence for Enhancement.

Author:	QAA Scotland
Format:	PDF
Size:	0.72 MB

Road-testing resources feedback template

Publication Date: 04 Feb 2020

Author:	QAA Scotland
Format:	DOCX
Size:	0.07 MB

Institutional reports and plans

Year three reporting

Report template for End of Year three / End of Theme

Publication Date: 01 Apr 2020

The key purposes of this report are to: - provide a framework for HEIs to report on their Theme activity that has taken place over the year and across the duration of the Theme - help share information across the sector on the benefits and challenges around Theme engagement - share learning about the impact of the Theme.

Author:	QAA Scotland
Format:	DOCX
Size:	0.17 MB

Progress update reports

Evidence for Enhancement: Current progress

Publication Date: 11 Dec 2018

These presentations were delivered by institutional team members at the Theme Leaders' Group meeting on 6th December 2018. It includes an update on the work being completed during year two of the Theme for: University of Aberdeen; Abertay University; University of Dundee; Edinburgh Napier University; University of Edinburgh; Glasgow Caledonian University; Glasgow School of Art; Heriot-Watt University; University of the Highlands and Islands; Open University in Scotland; Queen Margaret University; Robert Gordon University; Royal Conservatoire of Scotland; Scotland's Rural College; University of St Andrews; University of Stirling; University of Strathclyde; University of the West of Scotland;

Author:	QAA Scotland
Format:	PDF
Size:	11.44 MB

Visual minutes from the Themes Leaders’ Group meeting, December 2018

Publication Date: 22 Jan 2019

Author:	Enhancement Themes
Format:	PDF
Size:	2.27 MB

The sector overview reports include a summary of the end of year institutional reports and institutional plans. It also highlights areas of mutual interest among institutions, potential areas for collaboration and details of how institutions are supporting staff and student engagement in the Theme.

Year three - Sector Overview reports

Evidence for Enhancement: Overview of Institutional plans (year three)

Publication Date: 02 Mar 2020

This paper provides an overview of the information presented in updated Enhancement Theme institutional plans for year 3 of the Enhancement Theme (session 2019-20).

Author:	QAA Scotland
Format:	PDF
Size:	0.34 MB

Year two - Sector Overview reports

Evidence for Enhancement: Overview institutional reports (year two)

Publication Date: 16 Aug 2019

This report provides a summary of year 2 Enhancement Theme institutional activity for Evidence for Enhancement.

Author:	QAA Scotland
Format:	PDF
Size:	0.34 MB

Evidence for Enhancement: Overview of Institutional Plans (year two)

Publication Date: 12 Nov 2018

This paper provides an overview of the information presented in updated Enhancement Theme institutional plans for year 2 of the Enhancement Theme (session 2018-19).

Author:	QAA Scotland
Format:	PDF
Size:	0.40 MB

Year one - Sector Overview reports

Evidence for Enhancement: Reflections on year one

Publication Date: 21 Nov 2018

This short paper highlights discussions from the meeting of the Theme Leaders Group on 11 October 2018. At that meeting we ran a workshop activity aimed at capturing the story of the first year of the Theme. We encouraged members to reflect on the assumptions, ambitions and concerns they had had at the beginning of year one, what had transpired during the year, and how (if at all) their thinking had changed as we entered year two.

Author:	QAA Scotland
Format:	PDF
Size:	1.24 MB

Evidence for Enhancement: Overview of institutional reports (year one)

Publication Date: 05 Nov 2018

This report provides a summary of year 1 Enhancement Theme institutional activity for Evidence for Enhancement.

Author:	QAA Scotland
Format:	PDF
Size:	0.56 MB

Evidence for Enhancement: Overview of institutional plans (year one)

Publication Date: 05 Nov 2018

This paper provides an overview of the information for the Evidence for Enhancement institutional plans for session 2017-18.

Author:	QAA Scotland
Format:	PDF
Size:	0.17 MB

Every year institutions submit an end of year report that identifies the progress that institutions have made towards activities outlined in their plan.

Institutional end of year reports

Evidence for Enhancement: Institutional end of year reports (year two)

Publication Date: 16 Aug 2019

This document combines the end of year reports for the 19 Scottish institutions during year two of Evidence for Enhancement: Improving the Student Experience. It provides detail of the institutional teams, work relating to outcomes and activities, support for staff and student engagement.

Author:	QAA Scotland
Format:	PDF
Size:	3.20 MB

Evidence for Enhancement: Institutional end of year reports (year one)

Publication Date: 15 Aug 2018

This document combines the end of year reports for the 19 Scottish institutions during year one of Evidence for Enhancement: Improving the Student Experience. It provides detail of the institutional teams, work relating to outcomes and activities, support for staff and student engagement.

Author:	QAA Scotland
Format:	PDF
Size:	1.93 MB

Every year institutions submit a plan outlining their cumulative activities that build and develop year on year over the duration of the Theme.

Evidence for Enhancement: Institutional plans (years 1-3)

Publication Date: 14 Feb 2020

This document contains the detailed plans for the 19 Scottish institutions. It includes information about the key priorities, proposed activity and outcomes during year one and two of the Evidence for Enhancement, Enhancement Theme.

Author:	QAA Scotland
Format:	PDF
Size:	3.08 MB