Editor脮s Note:听 Dal News welcomes submissions of commentary on any matter or subject related to AV俱乐部 specifically, or education generally. Commentaries must be kept under 500 words (this is a website, after all), and the editor reserves the right to, well, edit.
The 惭补肠濒别补苍脮蝉 survey matters. While 22 universities across Canada decided the methodology used in the 惭补肠濒别补苍脮蝉 Magazine Universities Survey is flawed, to the point where we could no longer take part in the process, it remains a valuable resource that reveals a number of interesting points.
Much publicity has surrounded the decision by AV俱乐部 and others to withdraw from the survey. We have stated our concerns. As research institutions we take the proper use of data seriously and to participate in the 惭补肠濒别补苍脮蝉 survey, without changes to the methodology would be hypocritical. In essence, the main concern is with 惭补肠濒别补苍脮蝉 decision to assemble their data into 脪league tables鈥� based on the arbitrary assignment of weights to variables. The issue is not the data itself, which is often provided by the universities themselves, although 惭补肠濒别补苍脮蝉 does rely on reputation survey data with low response rates and skewed profiles of respondents.听 By pulling together different kinds of data, out of context 惭补肠濒别补苍脮蝉 magazine ends up comparing apples and oranges.
The value of transparency
But what must not be lost in the controversy is the value to the community of open and transparent access to information about post secondary education. 惭补肠濒别补苍脮蝉 has provided valuable editorial coverage of the post-secondary sector for years, and has undoubtedly helped some prospective students make their decisions. One can look at the 惭补肠濒别补苍脮蝉 survey results and find some interesting results. Even within the flawed 脪league tables鈥� AV俱乐部 more than holds its own. Given that so many categories in the survey are linked directly to hard dollars spent, that a mid-sized institution like AV俱乐部 places where it does is a testament to our strength.
AV俱乐部 is grouped, appropriately, in the 脪Medical Doctoral鈥� category, along-side the country脮s largest and richest universities.听 As number 26 in size, we are clearly 脪punching above our weight class.鈥� AV俱乐部 is committed to openness and accountability. We are working to ensure all relevant information about the university is available to anyone who cares to look. We have a dedicated web site that shares information, warts and all - 脪AV俱乐部 AV俱乐部鈥� at .
Opening up the process
The 惭补肠濒别补苍脮蝉 survey matters because any opportunity to share information with prospective students, their parents and the broader public about what universities are all about is enormously valuable. It matters because it helps shine a light on a process that can sometimes be mysterious and confusing. We remain committed to sharing information and with a little work the 惭补肠濒别补苍脮蝉 survey can be one more place where all can go to find useful data that opens the process wide and makes the difficult choice of where to attend university that much clearer.
Charles Crosby is AV俱乐部's Media Relations Manager
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