Raising questions. Pursuing answers. Curating and categorizing. That’s how we support the QM system.
A founding principle that continues to drive Quality Matters is the need for QM Standards to reflect current academic research on effective learning. The initial standards and subsequent modifications have been based on the insights of teams of experienced online instructors and instructional designers and on the best practices standards promulgated by accrediting bodies and national and international organizations. In addition, the QM Standards have been examined for consistency with the conclusions of the educational research literature regarding factors that increase learning and engagement and that improve learner retention rates.
QM Research is focused on curating and supporting research studies related to the impact and use of the Quality Matters model. Literature reviews to inform members of the Rubric Committees in their effort to assure that the Rubrics remains current with the research are also an important component of QM Research activities. If you are looking for guidance on conducting QM-focused research or finding studies to support the use of QM, we recommend starting with the resources listed in this section.
qm research library
Search our curated selection of literature bearing a relationship to the QM Standards by either keyword or the QM Standard number. References on teaching competencies can be found in the Online Instructor and Teaching Competencies Literature Review.
research toolkit
Get guidance on developing a research question that will make for a solid study and facilitate attaining information significant to online learning stakeholders.
qm-related research resources
See a curated list of studies and publications related to the primary categories of QM Research.
Need help with your search? Contact QM Research with your questions.
Looking for a recording or miss a session?
See a list of all archived recordings.
Have an idea for a Research Webinar? Contact the Research team.
Research Webinars
September 16, 2021 — 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Eastern
QM Research Roundup: Surveys, Supports, and Synergy
Presented by Bethany Simunich, PhD, Quality Matters, Director of Research & Innovation
Join QM’s Director of Research and Innovation to hear all the researched-focused ways that Quality Matters supports and collaborates with the QM community. Dr. Bethany Simunich will provide an overview of what QM Research & Innovation does and why we do it, and also present detailed results from two 2021 surveys of QM Coordinators regarding institutional implementation of the QM framework and how institutions use and flex framework tools and resources. You’ll hear about the latest QM-focused research, see key highlights from reports and the research website, and learn about upcoming events, as well as our publicly-available resources, such as the Research Online Toolkit and Research Library database.
