Peer review as a quality management tool embedded in an inquiry-based learning scenario

Abstract

Quality management (QM) is important to institutions of higher education. However, most QM tools do not impact teaching and learning directly. We investigated how peer reviewing can be used as a tool to improve the quality of teaching and learning. Therefore, this method is tested with Master students in an inquiry-based learning scenario using a three-step research process. First, in the peer review phase, the students gave feedback on each other's research papers; second, at the end of the course, they handed in their personal learning reports; third, we conducted a quantitative survey about peer review as a learning process. The results show that the implementation of peer reviewing as a QM tool still needs to be improved. We learned that the peer feedback was helpful in the majority of the cases and the review process improved each students' final results. Nevertheless, the majority of the students did not think that it was very helpful and significantly contributed to their learning process. We conclude that the student need to be better instructed how the process works and what to focus on mostly. For the next course, this will improve the peer review process and the learning experience.