“Big Q” and “Small q” Quality: A Taxonomy for Assuring Academic Quality, Standards, and Integrity in Online Learning

To be effective, quality assurance – regardless of mode – should be premised on shared standards, appropriate training, and adequate resources. A holistic conversation about academic integrity should be framed through the entire university ecosystem, not just student behavior. One way to have this conversation is through the lens of a Big Q small q quality taxonomy. The application of this taxonomy enables regulatory and university standards to be achieved across purpose, context, and stakeholders. In this chapter, I use a Big Q small q taxonomy to show how academic quality, standards, and integrity are achieved in the context of online learning. Using TEQSA as a case study, this chapter illustrates how the regulator used five unique approaches to assuring online learning and the integrity of higher education programs: (1) modeling an end-to-end quality assurance approach; (2) social networking and ongoing communication between the regulator, university program providers, and students; (3) supporting the sector through disruption; (4) evaluating the sector-wide online student experience; and (5) facilitating sector-wide capability in online learning. These approaches are illustrative of how universal government standards for higher education are applied and achieved across the online context.