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Statistical data: The underestimated tool for higher education management

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Abstract

Institutions of higher learning in developing countries in general and sub-Saharan Africa in particular have continued to underestimate the crucial role data plays in the management process. They have failed to fully appreciate data as any other resources such as students and staff. The paper identifies the strengths and weaknesses of the existing data for higher education management with special reference to Makerere University. While the University had massive data on students, useability of such data in the management process was questionable. The data was characterised by several weaknesses. These included: inconsistencies in the terms used, incompleteness, rampant data duplication, and lack of continuity of some data elements; lending its useability questionable. Generally, the University concentrated on the collection of quantitative data and little emphasis put on qualitative data. Consequently, making the link between educational input, process and output not only difficult but also impossible.

Overall University data system ranging from data collection designs and methods to utilisation was unsatisfactory. This was partly attributed to inadequate appreciation of the role of information in management by the university management, inadequate incentives, and poor coordination between the reporting units. Clearly, the existing data within the University were inadequate for effective management. Corrective measures to improve the information within the University are explored and new data suggested.

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  1. Institute of Statistics and Applied Economics, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda. E-mail

    Sarah Nakabo-Ssewanyana

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  1. Sarah Nakabo-Ssewanyana
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Correspondence to Sarah Nakabo-Ssewanyana.

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Nakabo-Ssewanyana, S. Statistical data: The underestimated tool for higher education management. Higher Education 37, 259–279 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1003664331975

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