The Self-Study is written collaboratively by the program review team. This is to ensure that all voices in the department / program area are heard. This involvement also mirrors the importance of everyone contributing to compiling the Action Plan, formulated out of the report provided by the external review team. The full template and guide to writing the Self-Study is available here: NIC Self Study Story Outline

The Self-Study includes reflection on:

  • Our commitment to learners
  • Our program structures
  • Our learning community
  • Our practices
  • Our collective impact

Rather than being a business report, the Self-Study is a reflective document telling a story of student learning in a particular program area. It is a professional document written for an external / public audience, no more than 20-25 pages, not including appendices / special attachments.

The CTLI is available to offer support in pulling together and writing the Self-Study.

Since the Self-Study is written collaboratively, it is important to engage with the key individuals and groups who are  directly and indirectly contribute to and are impacted through the program, to gain input for the Self-Study.

You are also encouraged to use approaches and information sources that are most relevant to your discipline, industry or profession. Consider how you might use a combination of the following to reflect on what is working well and areas for enhancement:

  • existing evidence
  • relevant literature
  • new information

Ideally the above will include a mixture of quantitative and qualitative data, including the data collected through surveys, interviews and focus groups. It will include both descriptive information (e.g., context, history) and critical reflection (e.g., analysis of strengths and areas of development incorporating on evidence-based reflection) and observations (e.g., recommendations for future development).

In writing the Self-Study, consider its ultimate purpose and audience: the individuals / groups impacted through the program, and the external review team. The Self-Study along with the Final Report provided by the external review team, form the basis of the Action Plan. Keeping this goal in mind can help guide you through the process of writing the Self-Study in terms of where most to focus.