This paper examines how higher education researchers approach writing the rationale and justification for their work published in journal articles. A common way for establishing this justification is through claiming a gap, but the problem is that it is often hard to find a research gap, and if it is included, there is too often no explanation for…

The need for data-driven decision-making primarily motivates interest in analysing Big Data in higher education. Although there has been considerable research on the value of Big Data in higher education, its application to address critical issues within the sector is still limited. This systematic review, conducted in December 2021 and…

This investigation examines the efficacy of multilevel analysis of individual heterogeneity and discriminatory accuracy (MAIHDA) over fixed-effects models when performing intersectional studies. The research questions are as follows: (1) What are typical strata representation rates and outcomes on physics research-based assessments? (2) To what…

In Singapore, where primary and secondary students routinely top standardized worldwide mathematics examinations, a paradox emerges: when reaching university, many struggle to apply their skills critically in real-world contexts. This commentary examines the challenges and strategies involved in teaching quantitative reasoning (QR) to…

A common recommendation in critiques of datafication in education is for greater conversation between the two sides of the (critical) divide -- what might be characterised as sceptical social scientists and (supposedly) more technically-minded and enthusiastic data scientists. This article takes the form of a dialogue between two academics…

The development of a student's ability to make data-driven decisions has become a focus in higher education (Schield 1999; Stephenson and Caravello 2007). Data literacy, the ability to understand and use data to effectively inform decisions, is a fundamental component of information competence (Mandinach and Gummer 2013; Stephenson and Caravello,…

Cyberinfrastructure (CI) empowers the foundational computation resources underlying data analytics, spatial modeling, and many other domains serving the growing knowledge economy in the United States. In every part of these interactions with CI, questions of how to seamlessly integrate CI training into educational programs exist. In this article,…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the study general trends with regards to Web 2.0 technologies supporting problem-based learning (PBL) environments. A systematic literature review was applied to analyse studies published in this area, with a total of 18 articles included in the review. The content analysis method was applied in the…

The Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) is used in thousands of universities across the United States and internationally, with a strong and growing presence in K-12 and higher education markets. Analyzing the development of the Canvas LMS, we examine 1) 'frictionless' data transitions that bridge K12, higher education, and workforce data 2)…

The African Data Initiative started as a crowd-sourced campaign to improve the teaching of statistics in African universities. The analysis of climate data provides one suitable context to illustrate ideas that lead to a radical new form of teaching. The problem within the context comes first, the technicalities are largely reduced -- mathematics…

The aim of this study was to investigate how first-year students view the purpose of tutorial groups in problem-based learning. In all, 147 students from 24 groups participated, providing 399 statements. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. The results showed a focus on both learning and social influence. Learning involved the tutorial as…

It is treated as a truism that teaching well requires "meeting students where they are". Data enable us to know better where that is. Data can improve instructional practice by informing predictions about which pedagogies will be most successful for which students, and it can improve advising practice by informing predictions about which…

Advances in data science and computing power are rapidly shifting the opportunities available to citizens, changing how systems interact with almost every aspect of our lives: as students, job seekers, patients, citizens and consumers. This report presents the Annie E. Casey Foundation's point of view on the use of advanced analytics in social…

Legal, privacy and ethical concerns impacted data sharing among post-secondary institutions in academic collaboration in Ontario. The legal/ethical environment was embodied by FIPPA (Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy) legislation, Research Ethics Board protocols and Institutional Acts enacted by the provincial parliament.…

We examine the American landscape of higher education quantitative research concerning how gender and sex demographic information is collected. We use a directed content analysis to examine the prevalence and operationalization of gender and sex among widely used higher education survey instruments. Our findings illuminate a seemingly haphazard…