Research

Research Papers	Format
Partnerships between Administrative and Academic Managers: How Deans and Faculty Managers Work Together

While research, as defined in a strictly academic sense, is not an activity one usually associates with administrators, a broader interpretation of research encompasses many of the activities and projects administrators undertake in their day-to-day working life. For ATEM's purposes, research is therefore defined as any activity that casts light on a subject where light has not been cast before. The aim of this page is to provide administrators with a way of sharing this research with colleagues so that we avoid "reinventing the wheel".

Items for this section can therefore include, for example, projects undertaken to improve administrative practice in institutions, reviews of activities and outcomes, experiences of restructurings and reorganisation of institutions, as well as the more traditional academic research if that research relates to issues of interest and relevance to administrators, their work and their profession.

It is expected that items submitted for publication on this page will not have been published elsewhere. If a paper has been presented at an ATEM conference, and the text of that paper submitted to the conference organisers, it should not be duplicated here, as all conference papers are archived by the National Library and can be accessed through that archive.

Criteria to determine inclusion on this page are broad. The research:

should not be previously published;
should relate directly to administrators, their work or their profession;
may be undertaken as part of paid employment, or as part of an award course (eg MBA project);
may be work-in-progress;
can be institution specific or be more generally applicable across institutions or roles; and
can relate to a single event (eg the introduction of a new appeals process), or to a broader series of events over time (eg the implementation of a new quality management system).

If a document has been prepared as a result of your research and is not "commerical-in-confidence" then you should submit the following details for publication to the ATEM Secretariat:

Category of Research: (eg: Student Administration, Finance, Facilities, Library, IT, Public Relations, Alumni, Residential Accommodation, HR, etc.)
Title:
Name(s) of Author(s):
E-mail Contact for Author(s):
One Hundred Word Abstract:

Library

Wilson, Ann; Pitman Leeanne; and Isabella Trahn
"Best Practice for Australian Academic Libraries"

Abstract:
'Best Practice for Australian University Libraries' is a federally funded project which has investigated current 'best practice' activities within Australian academic libraries and made reference to relevant best practice activities at selected international sites. In this project, the term 'best practice' encompasses the extent of the implementation of quality frameworks and the use of benchmarking and performance measurement as tools for the continuous improvement of products, processes and services. Staff competencies and training required for the effective application of these frameworks and tools were also investigated. Recommendations on the practical application of this knowledge in support of effective future best practice have been made. These recommendations include the conversion of information from the project into a 'Best Practice Handbook for Australian University Libraries' which will form the basis for an ongoing source of reference for all university libraries.

Anne Wilson (Northern Territory University)
Email:anne.wilson@ntu.edu.au

Leeanne Pitman (University of Ballarat), Isabella Trahn (University of New South Wales)

Relationships Between Academics and Administrators

Conway, Maree
"Neighbouring Professions? Academics and Administrators in Higher Education"

Abstract:
The professional relationship between academics and administrators is characterised by tension and conflict and is often misunderstood, misinterpreted or misconstrued. The relationship exists in an environment where work is changing rapidly and where traditional ways of operating are no longer effective. The nature of the working relationship between the two groups has shifted from that of "master-servant" to one of interdependency and, for administrators, their role in university management has expanded greatly. However, recognition of their expanded role by academics in particular, but also by institutions and government generally, has not been forthcoming. This research analyses the professional relationship between academics and administrators in selected Australian universities to define the changing nature, boundaries and context of the administrative role in order to explore where and in what ways academic and administrative work is blurring. This analysis will inform the development of scenarios to describe how university work might be conducted in the future. The work is in progress and will be submitted to examiners for the award of a PhD by The University of Melbourne.

Maree Conway mconway@swin.edu.au
Higher Education Division
Swinburne University of Technology

Student Services

Promnitz, J & Germain, C
"Student Support Services and Academic Outcomes: Achieving Positive Outcomes"

Abstract:
To obtain direct empirical evidence of a link between the existence of student support services and enrolment attrition or positive academic outcomes is difficult, due to the many extraneous variables which have an impact on the lives of students. To help clarify the link between support services and academic outcomes, this project examined student experiences with actual and contemplated withdrawal and usage of support services. The method used was a questionnaire administered to enrolled and recently withdrawn students, and a series of focus groups with students nearer graduation. Participants responded to questions about their financial support and motivations for seeking a degree. Detailed comments were provided on factors or circumstances which influenced contemplation of withdrawal, as well as actions taken which led to continued enrolment or actual withdrawal.

It was concluded that the experiences of students generally support the positive role which support services play in both the prevention of attrition and the enhancement of student's experiences whilst at university. Recommendations were made to facilitate social, emotional and academic adjustment, given findings on student financial difficulties, motivations for enrolment and attrition risk factors.

Dr Jenny Promnitz Jennifer.Promnitz@jcu.edu.au
Director of Counselling
James Cook University of North Queensland

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