This course book focuses on possibilities and limitations of an information management for higher education institutions. Readers learn about the relevance of (performance) to reflect them critically and to use them in a responsible way. Based on this, the course book gives an introduction on how to establish a data-based reporting system at higher education institutions for different purposes and stakeholder groups and discusses various challenges to be considered.

This course book introduces the role of quality managers in communication and information processes of teaching and learning. Readers learn how to support teaching staff with defining objectives, expected learning outcomes and competences of a study programme. Furthermore, the course book deals with the continuous revision of study programmes and how to write a self-evaluation report at programme level. Finally, it examines the linkage between external and internal quality assurance approaches and how to make best use of both.

This book introduces quality concepts, definitions of quality assurance and development and its main tools and instruments. It discusses the question why quality management (QM) is an important concept for higher education institutions and the possibilities to setup a quality management system.

This course book summarises what is important for a working quality management system and shows how to close quality loops (which refer to the cyclic quality management logic of plan-do-check-act). It focuses more in detail on the linkage between quality management and decision-making processes and it analyses the functions of involved parties and existing limits of their actions. In doing so, readers will get an insight to communication and implementation strategies that are relevant to develop change processes at higher education institutions.

The second course book deals with the basic knowledge of evaluation theories and methodology, particularly in the framework of higher education institutions. Furthermore, the course book deals with empirical social science research methodology as a tool for effective quality assurance. Core elements are the precise conception and systematic conduction of qualitative and quantitative data collection as well as data analysis and interpretation for evaluation purposes.