1. Learning Outcomes in quality enhancement
Presenters
Dr David Bottomley
QAA Scotland
Dr Alan Davidson
The Robert Gordon University, and Bologna Expert
Overview
Scottish Quality Enhancement Themes initiative
Theme: Research-Teaching linkages
Example of an approach to promoting and supporting enhancement:
national, institutional and discipline levels
focuses on learning outcomes, graduate attributes

2. National policy context
Scottish Credit & Qualifications Framework
Aligned to EHEA three cycles
Outcomes based, includes Level Descriptors -indicative generic learning outcomes for each level of study
Scottish Quality Enhancement Framework (QEF)
Subject level reviews within universities
Enhancement-Led Institutional Review (ELIR)
Public information about quality
Greater voice for students
Quality Enhancement Themes

3. Scottish Quality Enhancement Themes
What they are
National initiative
Development support for enhancement in universities
Topics proposed by universities
Activities include: workshops, information resources, projects, consultancy, conferences
International perspective
Topics
Assessment
Responding to student needs
Employability
Flexible learning
Integrative Assessment
The First Year
Research-Teaching linkages: enhancing graduate attributes associated with research

4. QE Theme Research-Teaching Linkages
Focus on Learning Outcomes
graduate attributes associated with research
2 strands of work:
Institution
Discipline (subject)

5. Graduate attributes associated with research At Undergraduate Level (1st cycle)
Critical understanding informed by current developments in the subject
An awareness of the provisional nature of knowledge, how knowledge is created, advanced and renewed, and the excitement of changing knowledge
The ability to identify and analyse problems and issues and to formulate, evaluate and apply evidence based solutions and arguments
An ability to apply a systematic and critical assessment of complex problems and issues
An ability to deploy techniques of analysis and enquiry
Familiarity with advanced techniques and skills
Originality and creativity in formulating, evaluating and applying evidence-based solutions and arguments
An understanding of the need for a high level of ethical, social, cultural, environmental and wider professional conduct.

6. Graduate attributes associated with research At Master’s Level, (2nd cycle)
Conceptual understanding that enables critical evaluation of current research and advanced scholarship
Originality in the application of knowledge
The ability to deal with complex issues and make sound judgments in the absence of complete data.

7. Institutional strand Levels Institution Faculty / department
Course / curriculum
Frameworks, polices and programmes to:
Link research and teaching activities
To develop graduate attributes

8. Discipline strand: 9 discipline groups and projects
Physical sciences
Information and Mathematical Sciences
Arts and Social Sciences
Health and Social Care
Business and Management
Life Sciences
Creative and Cultural Practice
Medicine, Dentistry & Veterinary Medicine
Engineering & Built Environment
9 Projects, based in 9 universities
Identify, share, build on good practice
Linking research to teaching in the discipline
To enhance graduate achievement

9. Effective practice & lesssons learned
Thematic ways of working have evolved
FROM events and reports
TO project-based working with institutions and groups of academic staff (+ dissemination events and reports)
Focus on learning outcomes –is powerful
Student-centred
Makes thematic work more meaningful and relevant
Focus for alignment and linking: policies, curricula, teaching activities, research activities

10. Questions
For clarification
For discussion
What parts of this Scottish approach could be adopted for your country?
How could Scotland enhance its approach based on your country’s approach to similar work?
How might we collaborate within Europe on this type of quality enhancement activity? What are the enablers and barriers?

11. References
Scottish Credit & Qualifications Framework
Scottish Quality Enhancement Framework
QE Themes
QE Theme: Research-Teaching Linkages