Investigating the willingness and perception of participants in responding to electronic and manual quality assurance surveys, the case of colleges of education in Ghana

Abstract

The upgrading of Teacher Training Colleges in Ghana by the Colleges of Education Act 847 in 2012 made Quality Assurance offices in these institutions a key component as it facilitates institutional accreditation and reaccreditation. To constantly evaluate institutional activities and ascertain feedback from stakeholders for decision making, these offices make use of questionnaires and interviews to collect data. Most colleges now turn to use web-based QA surveys instead of the usual manual or paper-based survey administering mode due to the increasing number of enrolments. This evidence based process relies on regular gathering of accurate enough data. Response rates may however be affected due to the survey mode used and this affects the decision made based on this data. This study examines the perception of the participant towards the survey modes, identify their perceived preference and the factors that underpin this preference to the survey mode. A questionnaire was used to achieve the study’s objectives with the targeted population comprising of tutors and students in the Ghanaian public colleges of education. The study evidenced the preferred QA survey mode as electronic-based surveys and factors that determines participants preferred QA survey mode as anonymity of the response and easiness or quickness of the surveys to respond to.