Investigating the Status of Open Data Utilization and the Effect of Data-driven decision making on Improving Education Quality in Selected Higher Education Institutions in Ethiopia

Abstract

Open data and data-driven decision-making have potential value as material for use in learning activities. However, approaches to harnessing this are not well understood or in mainstream use in education. In this research, Mixed research methods (Qualitative and quantitative) have been used as a methodology to explore their rationale for using open data in teaching and the practical challenges of using open data. Research participants have been drawn from four universities, namely Jimma, Mettu, Bonga, and Mizan Tepi Universities. A thematic analysis was conducted to identify patterns and relationships in these open data-based practices that have already emerged. Drawing on this, common approaches and issues are identified, and a conceptual framework to support greater use of open data by educators is described. There were total of 681 (336 academic staff and 345 students) who participated in the study. 506(74.31%) of the participants were male while the rest 175 (25.69%) were female. Out of 681 respondents, 42.31% used open data for teaching and learning activities. 92.6% of the respondents were found to have a positive attitude towards open data and data-driven decision-making. Open data is supposed to engage in an argumentative discourse to acquire knowledge. Some of the major barriers to research identified by the study were the lack of data literacy (85.3%) of the respondents, followed by lack of availability of information (67.2%), awareness (68.23%), technical support (54.3%), and inadequate financial support (51.7%). The study has shown that the overall attitude of open data and data-driven decision-making towards education quality was positive but the practice of the open data in various learning activities was found to be low. The authors recommend that all the stakeholders encourage quality education in their academic pursuits by providing the necessary time and resources needed to perform quality.