Formerly the EEAA

Thematic Analysis

In compliance with the European Standards and Guidelines (ESG 3.4), the ECTE has begun (since 2020) to systematically use outputs from accreditation and quality assurance activities for analysis to infer developmental and enhancement needs in the sector. Please consult the Thematic Analysis – Strategic Plan 2020-2025.

Completed projects:

  • Development of Teaching Staff – Thematic Analysis (2020)  This project provides insights into trends in the sector of theological education concerning standard 1.5 of the ESG, and indicates areas of improvement in ECTE processes to promote the professional development of teaching staff and encouraging scholarly activity.
    • Researcher: Marvin Oxenham
    • The following action points were approved by the November 2020 ECTE Council
      1. Publication of positive results in the ECTE news feed;
      2. Insertion of an addendum to the Annual Progress Reports in 2021 requesting faculty development plans;
      3. Communication to VET members of implementation discrepancies with request of special attention to this standard;
      4. Communication to ECTE institutions encouraging participation in courses through the ICETE Academy.
    • Development of Teaching Staff – TA follow up report (August 2021)
  • Peer Expert Perspectives – Thematic Analysis (2020) This brief project analyses the current state and shows areas of development and improvement of QA processes related to the breadth of perspectives of ECTE’s peer experts.
    • Researcher: Marvin Oxenham
    • The following action points were approved by the November 2020 ECTE Council
      1. The data from this thematic analysis was presented to the ECTE Council in November 2020 for analysis.
      2. The ECTE Council proposed the names of further peer experts representing additional perspectives to to the Review Secretary who will contact these individuals and invite them to become ECTE peer experts. A report will follow at the Spring 2021 ECTE Council meeting.
  • Student Satisfaction – Thematic Analysis (2021). This project analyses the results of a Student Satisfaction Survey conducted by the ECTE in 2020-21 has provided insights into the student profiles and satisfaction rates of theology students in Europe and the Middle East.
    • Researcher: Marvin Oxenham
    • The following action points were approved by the November 2021 ECTE Council
      1. The report will be disseminated to ECTE accredited institutions who will be asked to respond in the 2022 APR.  VETs will also receive the report and discuss it with institutions during visits.
      2. Three questions around the expectations for character education will be included in the 2022 APR.
      3. Satisfaction around placements will be monitored through a comparison with a new Student Satisfaction Survey in 2022-23
      4. Institutions will be asked to respond to Standard A.2.3 concerning student involvement in decision-making structures and governance in the 2022 APR.
  • Trends in ECTE Requirements and Recommendations – Thematic Analysis (2021). This project analyses trends in requirements and recommendations in ECTE’s review reports from 2017-2021.
    • Researcher: Nathanael Hampp
    • The following action points were approved by the November 2021 ECTE Council
      1. The report will be disseminated on the ECTE website and sent to ECTE accredited institutions (Action point 7)
      2. Action points related to faculty development are already being implemented following the Development of Teaching Staff TA (Action point 1)
  • Formal and non-Formal Theological Education in Dialogue – Thematic Analysis (2022).  This project analyses trends in global theological education concerning the dialogue between formal and non formal education.
    • Researcher: Julie Shoemaker
    • This research laid the groundwork for the 2022 ICETE Consultation on Formal and non-Formal Theological Education in Izmir, Turkey in November 2022.
  • Student Voice – Thematic Analysis (2022).  This project analyses responses in APRs and review reports concerning compliance with ESG and ECTE standards related to student voice.
    • Researcher: Marvin Oxenham
    • Action points include dissemination among ECTE accredited institutions to raise awareness to student voice issues and inclusion in VET training for 2023.
  • Theology Graduate Employability  – Thematic Analysis (2023). This project analyses graduate employment of theology students.
    • Researcher: Marvin Oxenham
    • Action points include dissemination among ECTE accredited institutions to raise awareness around graduate employability issues and to increase good practice in collection, publication and analysis of graduate employment data. The topic is also included in VET training plans for 2024.

Thematic analysis is conducted by ECTE staff or by outsourcing  (e.g. involving research students).  The Thematic Analysis Project Application Form is be used for those that have been invited to undertake thematic analysis on behalf of the ECTE.  All projects will need be approved by the ECTE Council and remuneration will be considered.