Quality assessment of doctoral programmes

The purpose of this article is to focus attention on the different ways in which doctoral education can be evaluated. It reviews highlights from the literature in this regard, identifies purposes of doctoral education, and different assessment approaches that have been used. The author develops a practical framework to guide educators in their thinking about evaluation. The practical framework is then submitted to a test of its validity through a discussion of criteria and procedures used in one setting. Compelling reasons are provided for the benefits of conducting doctoral programme assessment - for the institution, for society and for other constituents. Health SA Gesondheid Vol.6(2) 2001: 46-5