Albanian higher education reform
An institutional document analysis
Keywords:
: Albanian higher education, higher education reforms, institutional text analysis, qualitative researchAbstract
This qualitative research synthesis paper employs an institutional document analysis methodology in place, time and context to crystallize and discover text meaning of the recent higher education reform in Albania. Feedback theory systems, educational institutions theory, institutional change theory, student integration model theory and rational choice theory are the integrated lenses in interpreting and conveying various contingencies and other contextual factors related to Albanian higher education reform. The synthesis found merit in addressing past and present climate in higher education, increased enrollment rates without infrastructure, abuse of educational system, lack of educational institutional autonomy, need to develop higher education institutions with different statuses, low purchasing power of Albanian students and lack of collaborative opportunities which were previously reported to constitute a need for a governmental reform.
Downloads
Download data is not yet available.
References
Bryman, A. (2008). The End of the Paradigm Wars? In P. Alasuutari, L. Bickman, & J. Brannen, The SAGE Handbook of Social Research Methods (pp. 12-26). London: SAGE Publications Ltd.
Bush, P. D. (1987). The Theory of Institutional Change. Journal of Economic Issues, 21(3), 1075-1116.
Denzin, N., & Lincoln, Y. (2011). Introduction. In N. Denzin, & Y. Lincoln, The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Research (pp. 1-19). Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications, Inc.
Emerson, R. M. (1991). Case Processing and Interorganizational Knowledge: Detecting the "Real Resons" for Referrals. Social Problems, 38(2), 198-212.
Emerson, R. M., Fretz, R. I., & Shaw, L. L. (2011). Writing Ethnographic Fieldnotes (2nd ed.). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Emerson, R., & Paley, B. (1995). Institutional horizons and complaint-filing. In K. Hawkins, The Uses of Discretion (pp. 230-248). Oxford: Clarendon Press.
Erickson, F. (1986). Qualitative Methods in Research on Teaching. In M. C. Wittrock, Handbook of Research on Teaching (pp. 119-161). New York: MacMillan.
Erickson, F. (2011). A History of Qualitative Inquiry in Social and Educational Research. In N. Denzin, & Y. Lincoln, The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Research (pp. 43-60). Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications, Inc.
Ewell, P. (1987). Assessment, Accountability and Improvement: Managing the Contradiction. Association for Higher Education Assessment Forum (pp. 1-25). Washington, D.C.: American Association for Higher Education.
Gibson, G., Timlin, A., Curran, S., & Wattis, J. (2004). The scope for qualitative methods in research and clinical trials in dementia. Age and Ageing, 33, 422-426.
Gjonca, A., Aliaj, B., Barbullushi, M., Bozo, D., Civici, A., Demo, E., et al. (2014). Raporti Perfundimtar Per Reformimin e Arsimit te Larte dhe Kerkimit Shkencor. Tirane: Albanian Ministry of Education.
Gordon, J. (2005). White on White: Researcher Reflexivity and the Logics of Privilege in White Schools Undertaking Reform. The Urban Review, 37(4), 279-302.
Hall, H. (1908). Studies in English Official Historical Documents. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Hammersley, M. (2012). What is qualitative research? London: Bloomsbury Academic.
Hossler, D., Ziskin, M., Gross, J. P., Kim, S., & Cekic, O. (2009). Student Aid and Its Role in Encouraging Persistence. In J. Smart, Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research (Vol. 24, pp. 389-425). Dordrecht: Springer Science + Business Media B.V.
Kerkham, L., & Nixon, H. (2014). Literacy assessment that counts: mediating, interpreting and contesting translocal policy in a primary school. Ethnography and Education, 9(3), 343-358.
Kvale, S. (1996). The 1,000-Page Question. Qualitative Inquiry, 2(3), 275-284.
LeCompte, M. D., & Preissle, J. (1994). Qualitative Research; What It Is, What It Isn't, And How It's Done. In B. Thompson, Advances in Social Science Methodology (Vol. 3, pp. 141-163). Bingley: Emeral Group Publishing Limited.
Litke, R. (1975). What's Wrong With Closing Minds? In J. R. Meyer, B. Burnham, & J. Cholvat, Values Education: Theory/Practice/Problems/Prospects (pp. 87-93). Ontario: Wilfrid Laurier University Press.
Luttrell, W. (2010). Reflexive Writing Exercises. In W. Luttrell, Qualitative Educational Research: Readings in Reflexive Methodology and Transformative Practice (pp. 469-480). New York; Oxford: Routledge.
Maanen, J. V. (2011). Tales of the Field On Writing Ethnography. Chicago; London: The University of Chicago Press.
Marwick, C. (1964, May). An Historical Study of Paper Document Restoration Methods. Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America.
Maxwell, J. (1992). Understanding and validity in qualitative research. Harvard Educational Review, 62, 279-300.
Meyer, J. R., Burnham, B., & Cholvat, J. (1975). Values Education: Theory/Practice/Problems/Prospects. Ontario: Wilfrid Laurier University Press.
Miller, G. (1997). Contextualizing Texts: Studying Organiztaional Texts. In G. Miller, & R. Dingwall, Context and Method in Qualitative Research (pp. 77-91). Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, Inc. .
Notterman, J. M., & Drewry, H. N. (1993). Psychology and Education: Parallel and Interactive Appraoches. New York: Plenum Press.
Olson, D. (2003). Psychological Theory and Educational Reform. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Ormrod, J. E. (1990). Human Learning: Theories, Principles and Educational Applications. Columbus: Merrill Publishing Company.
Pathak, V., Jena, B., & Kalra, S. (2013). Qualitative research. Perspectives in Clinical Research, 4(3), 192.
Patton, M. Q. (2002). Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods (3 ed.). Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, Inc.
Poindexter, C. C. (2002). Meaning from Methods. Qualitative Social Work, 1(1), 59-78.
Radaelli, C. M., Dente, B., & Dossi, S. (2012). Recasting institutionalism: institutional analysis and public policy. European Political Science, 11(4), 537-550.
Riessman, C. K. (2008). Narrative Methods for the Human Sciences. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, Inc.
Rokeach, M. (1975). Toward a Philosophy of Value Education. In J. R. Meyer, B. Burnham, & J. Cholvat, Values Education: Theory, Practice, Problems, Prospects (pp. 117-126). Ontario: Wilfrid Laurier University Press.
Saldana, J. (2012). The Coding Manual for Qualitative Researchers. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, Ltd.
Sandelowski, M. (2004). Qualitative Research. In M. S. Lewis-Beck, A. Bryman, & T. F. Liao, The Sage Encyclopedia of Social Science Research Methods. Thousands Oaks: SAGE.
Sandelowski, M. (2008). Findings. In L. M. Given, The SAGE Encyclopedia of Qualitative Research Methods (pp. 350-351). Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, Inc.
Sandelowski, M. (2008). Member Check. In L. M. Given, & K. Saumure, The Sage Encyclopedia of Qualitative Research Methods (pp. 501-502). Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications Inc.
Sandelowski, M. (2008). Theoretical Saturation. In L. M. Given, & K. Saumure, The SAGE Encyclopedia of Qualitative Research Methods (pp. 875-876). Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications, Inc.
Smith, D. E. (1984). Textually Mediated Social Organizations. International Social Science Journal, 39(9), 59-75.
Sumathipala, A., Siribaddana, S., & Silva, N. D. (2003). Qualitative Research. Ceylon Medical Journal, 48(4), 136-139.
Thagard, P. (2002). Coherence in Thought and Action. Cambridge: Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Thorne, S., Jensen, L., Kearney, M. H., Noblit, G., & Sandelowski, M. (2004). Qualitative Metasynthesis: Reflections on Methodological Orientation and Ideological Agenda. Qualitative Health Research, 13(10), 1-24.
Tinto, V. (1993). Leaving College: Rethinking the causes and cures of student attrition. Chicago; London: The University of Chicago Press.
Tinto, V. (2004). Student Retention and Graduation: Facing the truth, living with the consequences. Washington: The Pell Institutefor the Study of Opportunity in Higher Education.
Bush, P. D. (1987). The Theory of Institutional Change. Journal of Economic Issues, 21(3), 1075-1116.
Denzin, N., & Lincoln, Y. (2011). Introduction. In N. Denzin, & Y. Lincoln, The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Research (pp. 1-19). Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications, Inc.
Emerson, R. M. (1991). Case Processing and Interorganizational Knowledge: Detecting the "Real Resons" for Referrals. Social Problems, 38(2), 198-212.
Emerson, R. M., Fretz, R. I., & Shaw, L. L. (2011). Writing Ethnographic Fieldnotes (2nd ed.). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Emerson, R., & Paley, B. (1995). Institutional horizons and complaint-filing. In K. Hawkins, The Uses of Discretion (pp. 230-248). Oxford: Clarendon Press.
Erickson, F. (1986). Qualitative Methods in Research on Teaching. In M. C. Wittrock, Handbook of Research on Teaching (pp. 119-161). New York: MacMillan.
Erickson, F. (2011). A History of Qualitative Inquiry in Social and Educational Research. In N. Denzin, & Y. Lincoln, The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Research (pp. 43-60). Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications, Inc.
Ewell, P. (1987). Assessment, Accountability and Improvement: Managing the Contradiction. Association for Higher Education Assessment Forum (pp. 1-25). Washington, D.C.: American Association for Higher Education.
Gibson, G., Timlin, A., Curran, S., & Wattis, J. (2004). The scope for qualitative methods in research and clinical trials in dementia. Age and Ageing, 33, 422-426.
Gjonca, A., Aliaj, B., Barbullushi, M., Bozo, D., Civici, A., Demo, E., et al. (2014). Raporti Perfundimtar Per Reformimin e Arsimit te Larte dhe Kerkimit Shkencor. Tirane: Albanian Ministry of Education.
Gordon, J. (2005). White on White: Researcher Reflexivity and the Logics of Privilege in White Schools Undertaking Reform. The Urban Review, 37(4), 279-302.
Hall, H. (1908). Studies in English Official Historical Documents. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Hammersley, M. (2012). What is qualitative research? London: Bloomsbury Academic.
Hossler, D., Ziskin, M., Gross, J. P., Kim, S., & Cekic, O. (2009). Student Aid and Its Role in Encouraging Persistence. In J. Smart, Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research (Vol. 24, pp. 389-425). Dordrecht: Springer Science + Business Media B.V.
Kerkham, L., & Nixon, H. (2014). Literacy assessment that counts: mediating, interpreting and contesting translocal policy in a primary school. Ethnography and Education, 9(3), 343-358.
Kvale, S. (1996). The 1,000-Page Question. Qualitative Inquiry, 2(3), 275-284.
LeCompte, M. D., & Preissle, J. (1994). Qualitative Research; What It Is, What It Isn't, And How It's Done. In B. Thompson, Advances in Social Science Methodology (Vol. 3, pp. 141-163). Bingley: Emeral Group Publishing Limited.
Litke, R. (1975). What's Wrong With Closing Minds? In J. R. Meyer, B. Burnham, & J. Cholvat, Values Education: Theory/Practice/Problems/Prospects (pp. 87-93). Ontario: Wilfrid Laurier University Press.
Luttrell, W. (2010). Reflexive Writing Exercises. In W. Luttrell, Qualitative Educational Research: Readings in Reflexive Methodology and Transformative Practice (pp. 469-480). New York; Oxford: Routledge.
Maanen, J. V. (2011). Tales of the Field On Writing Ethnography. Chicago; London: The University of Chicago Press.
Marwick, C. (1964, May). An Historical Study of Paper Document Restoration Methods. Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America.
Maxwell, J. (1992). Understanding and validity in qualitative research. Harvard Educational Review, 62, 279-300.
Meyer, J. R., Burnham, B., & Cholvat, J. (1975). Values Education: Theory/Practice/Problems/Prospects. Ontario: Wilfrid Laurier University Press.
Miller, G. (1997). Contextualizing Texts: Studying Organiztaional Texts. In G. Miller, & R. Dingwall, Context and Method in Qualitative Research (pp. 77-91). Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, Inc. .
Notterman, J. M., & Drewry, H. N. (1993). Psychology and Education: Parallel and Interactive Appraoches. New York: Plenum Press.
Olson, D. (2003). Psychological Theory and Educational Reform. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Ormrod, J. E. (1990). Human Learning: Theories, Principles and Educational Applications. Columbus: Merrill Publishing Company.
Pathak, V., Jena, B., & Kalra, S. (2013). Qualitative research. Perspectives in Clinical Research, 4(3), 192.
Patton, M. Q. (2002). Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods (3 ed.). Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, Inc.
Poindexter, C. C. (2002). Meaning from Methods. Qualitative Social Work, 1(1), 59-78.
Radaelli, C. M., Dente, B., & Dossi, S. (2012). Recasting institutionalism: institutional analysis and public policy. European Political Science, 11(4), 537-550.
Riessman, C. K. (2008). Narrative Methods for the Human Sciences. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, Inc.
Rokeach, M. (1975). Toward a Philosophy of Value Education. In J. R. Meyer, B. Burnham, & J. Cholvat, Values Education: Theory, Practice, Problems, Prospects (pp. 117-126). Ontario: Wilfrid Laurier University Press.
Saldana, J. (2012). The Coding Manual for Qualitative Researchers. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, Ltd.
Sandelowski, M. (2004). Qualitative Research. In M. S. Lewis-Beck, A. Bryman, & T. F. Liao, The Sage Encyclopedia of Social Science Research Methods. Thousands Oaks: SAGE.
Sandelowski, M. (2008). Findings. In L. M. Given, The SAGE Encyclopedia of Qualitative Research Methods (pp. 350-351). Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, Inc.
Sandelowski, M. (2008). Member Check. In L. M. Given, & K. Saumure, The Sage Encyclopedia of Qualitative Research Methods (pp. 501-502). Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications Inc.
Sandelowski, M. (2008). Theoretical Saturation. In L. M. Given, & K. Saumure, The SAGE Encyclopedia of Qualitative Research Methods (pp. 875-876). Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications, Inc.
Smith, D. E. (1984). Textually Mediated Social Organizations. International Social Science Journal, 39(9), 59-75.
Sumathipala, A., Siribaddana, S., & Silva, N. D. (2003). Qualitative Research. Ceylon Medical Journal, 48(4), 136-139.
Thagard, P. (2002). Coherence in Thought and Action. Cambridge: Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Thorne, S., Jensen, L., Kearney, M. H., Noblit, G., & Sandelowski, M. (2004). Qualitative Metasynthesis: Reflections on Methodological Orientation and Ideological Agenda. Qualitative Health Research, 13(10), 1-24.
Tinto, V. (1993). Leaving College: Rethinking the causes and cures of student attrition. Chicago; London: The University of Chicago Press.
Tinto, V. (2004). Student Retention and Graduation: Facing the truth, living with the consequences. Washington: The Pell Institutefor the Study of Opportunity in Higher Education.
Additional Files
Issue
Section
Articles
How to Cite
Albanian higher education reform: An institutional document analysis. (2017). Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies in Education, 5(2), 50-63. https://ojed.org/jise/article/view/1565
