Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.
The surveys were commissioned by the Committee of Inquiry into Education and Training, set up by the Australian Government, in order to gather information from students and staff in all sectors of Australian post-secondary education. Areas covered include characteristics of students and staff, career choice, preparation and planning and attitudes towards issues of importance to post-secondary education in the seventies.
Main Topics:
Attitudinal/Behavioural Variables A. National Educational Survey, 1977 Date left secondary school, type and location, qualifications attained, whether specialised in any subjects, relative standard achieved (e.g. above/below average). Whether intended to enter university/college or follow a specific career. Whether entered a university/college, qualifications obtained. Whether worked full-time for more than six months. Whether currently enrolled in a university or college and details of courses, whether currently in employment and details. Whether recently changed or given up any courses - if so, reasons, future plans if not currently enrolled. Attributes of a typical teacher at respondent's college/university (e.g. inspires confidence, displays enthusiasm), whether agrees/disagrees with several statements concerning courses, reasons for current enrolment, whether present course and institution was first preference, overall evaluation of course and institution, relative standard achieved, whether committed to work for a particular employer when graduated, expected ease of obtaining a job, expected and preferred occupation. Time of choosing career, whether choice was restricted by subjects taken at secondary school, highest qualification would like to acquire, perceived differences between Universities, Colleges of Advanced Education and Technical Colleges. General comments were elicited concerning education and training and the effect of financial factors on career development. Background Variables Sex, age, country of birth of self and parents, no. of years lived in Australia, religion, marital status, whether has children, sources of financial support, comparison of own income (current and expected) and parents' income with the average, parents' occupations and highest level of education. B. National Survey of Post-Secondary Teaching Staff, 1977 Separate questionnaires were sent to the three sectors of tertiary education. Questions asked in each include: Position, field of teaching, length of time in university/college teaching/at present institution, positions/ qualifications held, publications, whether currently enrolled for a degree, details of teaching responsibilities, breakdown of activities each week. Attitude towards certain activities (e.g. research, teaching, administration), assessment of the goals of higher education, opinion of ability of incoming and whether affected by expansion in post-secondary education. Expected ease with which students will obtain jobs. Opinion of courses taught and student participation in decision-making, main reasons for students giving up courses, opinion of size of institution. Attributes of a typical teacher at own institution, ways in which university/college education could be improved, whether numbers in post-secondary education/in own discipline should continue to expand and by how much, whether admission standards should be relaxed/tightened, whether student transfers between institutions should be made easier/more difficult. Perceived differences between Universities, Colleges of Advanced Education and Technical Colleges, opinion of plans to amalgamate Universities and Colleges. Areas in which expenditure cutbacks should/should not fall. Expected date of leaving current institution, whether would support early retirement schemes, overall job satisfaction, whether would accept another position elsewhere, at what salary and for what reasons. General comments regarding education and training. Background Variables Age, sex, country of birth and of first degree, length of time lived in Australia, educational and occupational background of parents.
One-stage stratified or systematic random sample
A: Within each sector, institutions were stratifies by factors such as age, size, location, degree of specialisation. Within strata, institutions were selected with pps, with approximately optimal allocation. Finally, students were selected by a systematic random sample, allocated proportionally between stratified institutions. B: Using the same institutions selected for the student survey , a systematic sample was selected equalling approximately half the student sample at that institution.
Postal survey
