A comparative study of the perceptions of professional staff on their contribution to student outcomes

Abstract

This study examined the perceptions of professional staff on their contribution to student outcomes. An online Delphi survey method was used to collect data from two expert panels: professional staff based in faculties and professional staff based in central university departments. The aim of this method is for the panels to reach consensus. The expert panels were asked to rank 10 propositions which support successful student outcomes. After three rounds the faculty-based panel had reached only a ‘very weak’ consensus, and the non-faculty-based panel only a ‘weak’ consensus. The highest-ranked proposition for both panels related to the ways in which institutions behave towards students: being welcoming and ensuring efficiency. Propositions relating to organisational culture were ranked relatively low indicating that professional staff may underestimate their contribution to these propositions.

Keywords:

• organisational culture
• professional staff
• student experience
• student outcomes
• student retention
• student success