| The purpose of this study was to determine whether assessment is being used in undergraduate health information administration programs. Unique to this study was the focus on whether assessment was effective in determining the strengths, weaknesses, and areas that need improvement in the programs and to what extent the programs follow the Nine Principles of Good Practice of Assessing Student Learning from the American Association of Higher Education (1992).; Self-administered surveys were sent to 46 directors of undergraduate health information administration programs. The sample was nation-wide and included public and private institutions. The hypotheses and research questions were analyzed using appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics. Responses to the open-ended questions were reviewed to identify major themes.; Research outcomes indicated that undergraduate health information administration educational programs use a variety of methods to assess the student and program outcomes. Program directors indicated that the student outcomes assessment program was effective in identifying the program's strengths, weaknesses, and areas that needed improvement. The research revealed that respondents view assessment methods as varying in usefulness. Responses to questions regarding the AAHE Nine Principles of Good Practice of Assessing Student Learning indicated program directors might lack knowledge in this area. Program directors indicated a lack of institutional support for assessment through the commitment of adequate resources such as funds for clerical support, faculty development, and time.; This research study yielded strong implications for program directors of undergraduate health information administration programs as well as higher education administrators. Program directors must recognize outcomes assessment as a tool to improve student learning and educational quality, not just fulfillment of an accreditation requirement. Administrators must support outcomes assessment through the provision of resources including funds and time. |
