Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Research: Emerging Perspectives, Trends, and Issues
Anne M Sy | Abraham Gomez
Discipline: Education
Abstract:
The evolving research landscape necessitates robust quality assurance
(QA) and accreditation systems to uphold the integrity and excellence of
research outputs. This perspective article examines the significant shifts in
QA and accreditation practices driven by emerging challenges and
opportunities. The replication crisis has highlighted the need for increased
transparency and reproducibility, prompting practices such as preregistration
and open data sharing to become more prevalent. Technological
advancements, notably artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, are
transforming QA processes by enhancing efficiency and accuracy in peer
review and plagiarism detection. Concurrently, there is a growing focus on
ethical considerations, with accreditation systems incorporating ethical
reviews and compliance with privacy regulations like GDPR. Additionally, the
expansion of accreditation criteria reflects the multifaceted nature of
research quality, including process evaluation and societal impact. The
globalization of research has led to efforts to standardize accreditation
practices, facilitating international collaboration and consistency. Challenges
remain, such as balancing rigid standards with flexibility, addressing
in
equities in access to accreditation resources, and ensuring data security
and privacy. To address these issues, ongoing dialogue and adaptation
within the QA and accreditation community are essential--QA and
accreditation practices can continue to support high-quality research and
advance knowledge across diverse disciplines.
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ISSN 2980-4124 (Online)
ISSN 2980-4116 (Print)