The desired teaching qualities of lecturers in higher education: a means end analysis

Abstract

Purpose – The study aims to develop a deeper understanding of the teaching qualities of
\neffective lecturers that students desire and to uncover the constructs that underlie these desire
\nexpectations and reveal the underlying benefits that students look for.
\nDesign/Methodology/Approach - A semi-standardized qualitative technique called laddering
\nwas applied that allows researchers to reach deeper levels of reality and to reveal the reasons
\nbehind the reasons. The study was conducted amongst teacher education students at a large
\nGerman University of Education and laddering questionnaires were handed out to 53 students
\nenrolled in a business management course.
\nFindings – The exploratory study gave a valuable first insight into the desired qualities of
\nlecturers. In particular, the study results indicate that students want lecturers to be
\nknowledgeable, enthusiastic, approachable, and friendly. Students predominately want to
\nencounter valuable teaching experiences to be able to pass tests and to be prepared for their
\nprofession. This study also showed that students are mainly concerned about vocational
\naspects of their studies and are less interested in their subject.
\nResearch limitations/implications – Due to the exploratory nature of the study and the scope
\nand size of its sample, the results outlined are tentative in nature. As the study involved only a
\nsingle group of university students from one university, the results cannot be generalized to
\nthe student population as a whole.
\nOriginality/value – The study was the first to successfully apply the means-end approach and
\nthe laddering technique to the issue of service quality in higher education. The study has,
\nhopefully opened up an area of research and methodology that could provide considerable
\nfurther benefits for researchers interested in this topic.