Call for Chapters

Academic Accreditation and Evaluation in Higher Education: Practices, Experiences, and Quality Assurance

Important Dates: Proposal Submission Deadline: June 7, 2024 | Notification of Acceptance: June 25, 2024 | Full Chapters Due Date: July 30, 2024 | Reviews to Authors: August 30, 2024 | Final Chapters Due: October 30, 2024

Chapter proposal submission link:

https://www.igi-global.com/publish/call-for-papers/call-details/7366

Editors

Prof. Miltiadis D. Lytras

The American College of Greece, Greece

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7281-5458

Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=55830169000

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=oA2FOOAAAAAJ&hl=el

Prof. Andreea Claudia Serban

Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Romania

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9361-2345

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.ro/citations?user=NJ62Yw4AAAAJ&hl=en

Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=55428880100

Introduction to the Theme:

"Academic Accreditation and Evaluation in Higher Education: Best Practices, Experiences and Quality Assurance" is a comprehensive publication that delves into the crucial aspects of academic accreditation and evaluation in the context of higher education. This book aims to provide a thorough exploration of the best practices and experiences in the field, offering insights into quality assurance mechanisms that drive continuous improvement within educational institutions.

Objectives of the Book:

This publication holds the potential to significantly impact the research community by serving as a seminal resource for scholars, educators, administrators, and policymakers engaged in the discourse around higher education accreditation and evaluation. Through a collection of rigorous research, case studies, and expert analyses, the book will contribute to the academic community's understanding of the evolving landscape of accreditation standards, assessment methodologies, and their implications on educational quality.

Indicative Topics:

1. Foundations of Academic Accreditation:

a. Evolution of Accreditation Standards:

· Tracing the historical development and evolution of accreditation standards in higher education.

· Analyzing how accreditation criteria have adapted to societal changes and educational advancements.

b. Global Perspectives on Accreditation:

· Comparative analysis of accreditation systems and practices in different countries.

· Exploring the challenges and benefits of harmonizing accreditation standards across international borders.

c. The Intersection of Accreditation and Institutional Mission:

· Examining the alignment between institutional missions and accreditation requirements.

· Strategies for institutions to integrate accreditation processes seamlessly into their mission statements.

d. Accreditation and Academic Program Assessment:

· Investigating the integration of accreditation with academic program assessment.

· Best practices for aligning program-level outcomes with accreditation standards.

e. Stakeholder Involvement in Accreditation:

· Exploring the role of various stakeholders (faculty, students, employers) in the accreditation process.

· Strategies for enhancing stakeholder engagement to ensure comprehensive evaluation.

2. Best Practices in Accreditation Processes:

a. Effective Self-Assessment Strategies:

· Best practices for institutions in conducting self-assessment for accreditation.

· Utilizing self-assessment as a proactive tool for continuous improvement.

b. Innovative Documentation and Reporting Methods:

· Showcasing innovative approaches to documenting and reporting accreditation evidence.

· Exploring the use of technology in streamlining documentation processes.

c. Peer Review in Accreditation: Challenges and Solutions:

· Identifying challenges in the peer review process for accreditation.

· Strategies for addressing common issues and enhancing the effectiveness of peer reviews.

d. Interdisciplinary Accreditation Models:

· Examining accreditation models for interdisciplinary programs.

· Best practices for ensuring accreditation standards are met across diverse academic disciplines.

e. Evaluating Student Learning Outcomes:

· Strategies for assessing and improving student learning outcomes within the accreditation framework.

· Incorporating data-driven approaches to enhance the quality of education.

3. Quality Assurance in Higher Education:

a. The Nexus Between Accreditation and Quality Assurance:

· Examining the interconnectedness of accreditation and broader quality assurance initiatives.

· Strategies for institutions to leverage accreditation for overall quality enhancement.

b. Quality Benchmarks for Online Education:

· Establishing quality benchmarks and criteria for assessing online educational programs.

· Addressing challenges specific to accrediting online and blended learning environments.

c. Institutional Research and Quality Assurance:

· The role of institutional research in supporting quality assurance efforts.

· Using data analytics for evidence-based decision-making in quality assurance.

d. Benchmarking in Higher Education:

· Exploring the use of benchmarking as a tool for institutional quality improvement.

· Comparing benchmarking practices across diverse higher education institutions.

e. Measuring and Ensuring Faculty Quality:

· Strategies for assessing and ensuring the quality of faculty members.

· Best practices for faculty development programs aligned with accreditation standards.

4. Experiences and Challenges in Accreditation:

a. Case Studies in Successful Accreditation Processes:

· In-depth case studies highlighting institutions with successful accreditation experiences.

· Identifying common elements contributing to success and lessons learned.

b. Overcoming Challenges in the Accreditation Journey:

· Addressing common challenges faced by institutions during the accreditation process.

· Strategies for overcoming obstacles and maintaining a positive accreditation trajectory.

c. The Role of Leadership in Accreditation Success:

· Examining the leadership's role in driving successful accreditation outcomes.

· Profiles of institutions where effective leadership played a crucial role in accreditation.

d. Accreditation Across Different Institutional Types:

· Exploring the unique challenges and approaches to accreditation for various types of institutions (research universities, liberal arts colleges, community colleges, etc.).

· Comparative analysis of accreditation experiences across different institutional contexts.

e. Incorporating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Accreditation:

· Strategies for integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion principles into the accreditation process.

· Case studies showcasing institutions that have successfully aligned accreditation with DEI goals.

5. Future Trends and Innovations in Accreditation:

a. Technological Advancements in Accreditation Processes:

· Exploring the role of technology, including AI and data analytics, in streamlining accreditation processes.

· Assessing the potential impact of emerging technologies on the future of accreditation.

b. Accreditation in the Era of Lifelong Learning:

· Examining how accreditation models can adapt to the growing emphasis on lifelong learning.

· Strategies for accrediting non-traditional education pathways and micro-credentials.

c. Globalization and Harmonization of Accreditation Standards:

· Analyzing trends toward globalizing accreditation standards and processes.

· Exploring challenges and opportunities in harmonizing accreditation practices worldwide.

d. Quality Assurance in a Rapidly Changing Educational Landscape:

· Addressing how accreditation and quality assurance adapt to changes in educational delivery models.

· Strategies for ensuring quality in the face of evolving educational landscapes.

e. Accreditation Beyond Compliance: Fostering Continuous Improvement:

· Shifting the focus from compliance to continuous improvement in accreditation.

· Exploring innovative models that prioritize ongoing enhancement of educational quality.

Submission Guidelines:

Researchers and practitioners are invited to submit on or before July 7, 2024, a chapter proposal of 1,000 to 2,000 words clearly explaining the mission and concerns of his or her proposed chapter. Authors will be notified by July 21, 2024 about the status of their proposals and sent chapter guidelines.Full chapters are expected to be submitted by July 30, 2024, and all interested authors must consult the guidelines for manuscript submissions at https://www.igi-global.com/publish/contributor-resources/before-you-write/ prior to submission. All submitted chapters will be reviewed on a double-blind review basis. Contributors may also be requested to serve as reviewers for this project.

Note: There are no submission or acceptance fees for manuscripts submitted to this book publication, Academic Accreditation and Evaluation in Higher Education: Practices, Experiences, and Quality Assurance. All manuscripts are accepted based on a double-blind peer review editorial process.

All proposals should be submitted through the eEditorial Discovery® online submission manager.

Publisher

This book is scheduled to be published by IGI Global (formerly Idea Group Inc.), an international academic publisher of the "Information Science Reference" (formerly Idea Group Reference), "Medical Information Science Reference," "Business Science Reference," and "Engineering Science Reference" imprints. IGI Global specializes in publishing reference books, scholarly journals, and electronic databases featuring academic research on a variety of innovative topic areas including, but not limited to, education, social science, medicine and healthcare, business and management, information science and technology, engineering, public administration, library and information science, media and communication studies, and environmental science. For additional information regarding the publisher, please visit https://www.igi-global.com. This publication is anticipated to be released in 2025.

Contact Information:

Dr. Miltiadis D. Lytras

Email: [email protected]

Dr. Andreea Claudia Serban

Email: [email protected]