EVALUACIÓN DE TITULACIONES UNIVERSITARIAS SEGÚN SU APORTACIÓN A LA COHESIÓN SOCIAL (UNIVECS). RESULTADOS DE UN ANÁLISIS DE VALIDACIÓN CUALITATIVA A TRAVÉS DE GRUPOS FOCALES EN DOS TITULACIONES DE MÁSTER DE LA UNIVERSITAT DE VALÈNCIA

Abstract

Introduction. University evaluation is often criticised as bureaucratic and administrative. It often lacks a meaningful benchmark of quality. This paper analyses the concept of Social Cohesion, proposed in the European Union, as a quality criterion for evaluating university degrees. Goals. The study aims to provide evidence of validation of the UNIVECS Model for the evaluation of university degrees in terms of their contribution to Social Cohesion. Methods. To this end, it proposes a qualitative study which, by means of Focus Groups, collects the evaluations of students in two Master's degrees at the University of Valencia. The Focus Groups are organised around the eight dimensions that structure the evaluation model. They are analysed using Nvivo looking for the key elements that facilitate this social cohesion and the link with the reference model. Results. The research shows that a qualitative study based on focus groups makes it possible to gather significant information to provide validation evidence for a university degree evaluation model. In this case, the elements identified as facilitators and obstacles to the development of Social Cohesion in the degrees analysed are linked to the structure of dimensions of the Model. Conclusions. The study carried out shows the relevance of considering a socially significant quality criterion when considering evaluation in Higher Education. The audiences, in this case students, can raise relevant reflections for the improvement of university degrees, confirming the potential of the Social Cohesion construct in general and the Univecs Model in particular in these evaluations.