The term "QM Research" relates to several different types of research. There is research that supports the QM Rubric and process, research that discusses its use, and research that focuses on its impact.
Recent Literature Reviews
K-12
- 2019 K-12 Dissertation Literature Review Summary
- 2019 K-12 Article Literature Review Summary
- 2018 Literature Review for revising the National Standards for Quality Online Courses
- 2018 Literature Review for revising the National Standards for Quality Online Teaching
- 2018 Literature Review for revising the National Standards for Quality Online Programs
- Review of K-12 Online and Blended Education Research Literature
Higher Education
- Searchable QM Research Library incorporating references that support and inform the Higher Education Rubric, Seventh Edition, and all previous editions
- 2019 Higher Education Literature Review Summary
- 2017 Literature Review Summary Report in preparation for the Higher Education Rubric, Sixth Edition
- 2013 Literature Review Summary Report in preparation for the Higher Education Rubric, Fifth Edition
Teaching
- Online Instructor and Teaching Competencies Literature Review
- Online Instructor and Teaching Competencies: Further Analysis of the 2016 Literature Review for Quality Matters
White Papers
- Academic Rigor White Paper 1: A Comprehensive Definition
- Academic Rigor White Paper 2: Contextualizing Academic Rigor
- Academic Rigor White Paper 3: Aligning Institutional Processes to Support Academic Rigor
- Administrative Support for Digital Accessibility: Policies and Processes
- Course Design for Digital Accessibility: Best Practices and Tools
- Professional Development for Digital Accessibility: A Needs Assessment
Reports
The Changing Landscape of Online Education (CHLOE) Reports
Effects of QM
Student-Focused
- Driving Accessibility: Tarrant County College's Online Campus Races Toward Accessibility for Online Courses and Communication
Estes, K., & Nichols Foster, Lindsay. (2024). Access article - Student Perceptions of Quality Matters Standards on Engagement and Learning
Conklin, S. (2023). Access article - Pedagogy of Reflection in a Novel Quality Matters Certified E-Servicelearning Course
Kanekar, A., Snyder, J., & Prince, B. (2021). Access article - Student Perceptions of the Impact of Quality Matters–Certified Online Courses on Their Learning and Engagement
Sadaf, A., Martin, F., & Ahlgrim-Delzell, L. (2019). Access article - Evaluating a blended course for Japanese learners of English: Why Quality Matters
Alizadeh, M., Mehran, P., Koguchi, I., & Takemura, H. (2019). Access article - Course Design, Quality Matters Training, and Student Outcomes
Hollowell, G. P., Brooks, R. M., & Anderson, Y. B. (2017). In The American Journal of Distance Education. See study - Student Feedback on Quality Matters Standards for Online Course Design
Crews, T. B., Bordonada, T. M., & Wilkinson, K. (2017, June). EDUCAUSE Review. Access article - The Effect of Age and Employment on Students’ Perceptions of Online Course Quality
Barczyk, C., Hixon, E., Buckenmeyer, J., & Ralston-Berg, P. (2017). In the Internet Learning Journal. Access article - Online Graduate Course Evaluation from Both Students' and Peer Instructors Perspectives Utilizing Quality Matters
Kwon, K., DiSilvestro, F. R., & Treff, M. E. (2016). Access article - The Impact of Findability on Student Motivations, Self-Efficacy, and Perceptions of Online Course Quality
Simunich, B., Robins, D. B., & Kelly, V. (2015). Access article - How a Historically Black College (HBCU) Established a Sustainable Online Learning Program in Partnership with Quality Matters
Harkness, S. S. J. (2015) See study - Usability in Online Course Design: Comparative Perspectives on Ease-of-Use, Satisfaction, Motivation, and Teacher Presence
Myers, J. H. (2015). Unpublished dissertation, University of Buffalo, Buffalo, NY. Access dissertation - The Effect of Quality Matters Certification on Learner Satisfaction, Grades, and Retention at FIU/Online
Miner, A. G. (2014). Unpublished dissertation, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD. Access dissertation - Surveying Learner Perspectives of Quality: Value of QM Rubric Items
Ralston-Berg, P. (2014). See study - Effect of Student Readiness on Student Success in Online Courses
Geiger, L. A., Morris, D., Subocz, S. L., Shattuck, K., & Viterito, A. (2014). See study - Program Administration and Implementation of an Online Learning Initiative at a Historically Black College University
Harkness, S. S. J. (2014b). In M. Orleans (Ed.), Cases on Critical and Qualitative Perspectives in Online Higher Education. Access chapter - Online Course Quality: The Learner Perspective
Ralston-Berg, P. (2011). Unpublished survey results, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA. - Impact of Quality Matters Recognition on Course Attrition Rates: Final Report
Diomede, S. (2011). - Learner and Faculty Perceptions Before and After a Course Meets QM Standards
Parscal, T., Frey, B. A., & Lucas, G. (2011, November). [2010 QM Research Grant]. Presentation at the 3rd Annual Quality Matters Conference, Baltimore, MD. - Quality Matters Rubric as 'Teaching Presence': Application of CoI Framework to Analysis of the QM Rubric's Effects on Learner Learning
Hall, A. (2010, June). [2009 QM Research Grant]. See presentation - Improving Learner Satisfaction and Retention with Online Instruction through Systematic Faculty Peer Review of Courses
Aman, P. R. (2009). (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). - What Makes a Quality Online Course? The Student Perspective
Ralston-Berg, P., & Nath, L. (2008). 24th Annual Conference on Distance Teaching & Learning. See paper - Quality in Design: Impact on Learner Achievement
Runyon, J. M. (2006). [2005 QM Research Grant]. Unpublished final report, College of Southern Maryland, LaPlata, MD. - How Learner Learning in an Online Undergraduate Course Is Impacted by the Application of QM Rubric Standards: A Grounded Theory Study
Mott, M. (2006). [2005 QM Research Grant]. Unpublished final report, State University of New York, Canton, NY. - Two Studies Reveal Impact of QM Across Delivery Formats
Shattuck, K. (2016). See presentation
Instructor-Focused
- Quality Matters Review of LIB 2210: Applying the QM Rubric for Higher Education to an Information Literacy Course
Sheets, L. A., Barry, M., & Bosch, E. K. (2023). See article - Designing Effective Online Courses: Exploring the Relationships Amongst Online Teaching Self-efficacy, Professional Development, Online Teaching Experience, and Reported Implementation of Effective Higher Education Online Course Design Practices
McMahon, E. (2021). See article - The Joy of Quality Assurance: Evaluating Faculty Quality Assurance at a Medium-Size University in the West
Kaatz, K. W. (2021). See article - Implementing Quality Matters in the Political Science Classroom
Chand, B., & Gabryszewska, M. (2021). See article - Community College Faculty Perceptions of the Quality Matters™ Rubric
Gregory, R. L., Rockinson-Szapkiw, A. J., Cook, V. S. (2020). See article - The Effect of Instructors Training on Technology Adoption, Course Design, and Student Experiences: A Multiple Case Study of Training Based on Tpack or Quality Matters
Aqui, Yvette. (2018). In ProQuest Dissertations Publishing. Access dissertation - A Delphi Study to Examine the Quality Measurement Standards by Online Instructors Using the Quality Matters™ Rubric as a Basis for Creating Instructional Materials
Robinson, D. J. (2017). In ProQuest Dissertations Publishing. Access dissertation - Factors Influencing Participation in Professional Development to Promote Online Course Excellence and the Impact on Faculty Confidence and Teaching
Mascher, E. (2016). In ProQuest Dissertations Publishing. Access dissertation - The Power of a Collaborative, Collegial Approach to Improving Online Teaching and Learning
Bogle, L., Day, S., Matthews, D., & Swan, K. (2014). In Assuring Quality in Online Education: Practices and Processes at the Teaching, Resource, and Program Levels. Access chapter - Impacts of a Quality MattersTM Workshop on Faculty Who Design, Develop, and Deliver Online Courses: A Mixed Methods Study
Mercer, R. E. (2014). In ProQuest Dissertations Publishing. Access dissertation - Learner and Faculty Perceptions Before and After a Course Meets QM Standards
Parscal, T., Frey, B. A., & Lucas, G. (2011, November). [2010 QM Research Grant]. Presentation at the 3rd Annual Quality Matters Conference, Baltimore, MD. - The Effect of Quality Matters on Faculty's Online Self-Efficacy
Wright, J. (2010, June). Presentation at the DLA Conference 2010. See article - The Development of Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) in Instructors Using Quality Matters Training, Rubric, and Peer Collaboration
Ward, C. (2011, November). [2010 QM Research Grant]. Presentation at the 3rd Annual Quality Matters Conference, Baltimore, MD. - The Impact of Learning Activities on Online Course Completion
Loser, R., & Trabandt, J. (2006). [2005 QM Research Grant]. Unpublished final report, Northern Virginia Community College, Alexandria, VA.
Institution-Focused
- Quality Matters: Using a Peer-Review Process to Create a Cohesive Multi-Campus Library Online Instruction Program
Jacobs, S., Nash, M., Burress, T., and van Beynen, K. (2023). See article - Creating a Culture of Online Quality: The People, Policies, and Processes that Facilitate Institutional Change for Online Course Quality Assurance
Simunich, B., McMahon, E., Hopf, L., Altman, B., & Zimmerman, W. (2021). See article - Leading University Change: A Case Study of Meaning-Making and Implementing Online Learning Quality Standards
Edge, C., Monske, E., Boyer-Davis, S., VandenAvond, S., & Hamel, B. (2021). See article - Attaining Quality Matters Certification for a Registered Nurse-Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program
Bryan, C. S., Oberlander, J. F., Reuille, K. M., Lewandowski, K. A., Topp, R., Grothaus, L. (2021). See article - Quality Assurance Implementation and How It Works
Altman, B., Shattuck, K., Simunich, B., & Burch, B. (2020). See article - Evaluating Online Course Quality: A Study on Implementation of Course Quality Standards
Zimmerman, W., & Altman, B., Simunich, B., Shattuck, K., & Burch, B. (2020). See article - A 'Just-in-Time' Pragmatic Approach to Creating Quality Matters-informed Online Courses
Murillo, A., & Jones, K. M. L, (2020). See article - Design for success: Identifying a Process for Transitioning to an Intensive Online Course Delivery Model in Health Professions Education
McDonald, P. L., Harwood, K. J., Butler, J. T., Schlumpf, K. S., Eschmann, C. W., & Drago, D. (2017). See article - A Community of Quality: Using Social Network Analysis to Study University-Wide Implementation of QM
Richter, S., Miller, T., Cowan, J., & Click, A. (2017). See presentation - Measuring Online Course Design: A Comparative Analysis
You, J., Hochberg, S., Ballard, P., Xiao, M., & Walter, A. (2014). See study - Integrating Quality Matters into Hybrid Course Design: A Principles of Marketing Case Study
Young, M. R. (2014). See study - An Overview of the Quality Matters Peer Review Process for Online Course Design
Varonis, E. M. (2014). See article - Improving Courses Across an Online Program: A Design-Based Approach
Swan, K., & Matthews, D. (2012). Paper at the 28th Annual Conference on Distance Teaching & Learning. Access paper - IBSTPI, Quality Matters, and Online Learning: What’s Right and What Needs Changing?
Bose, E. V. (2012). See study - Instructional Design and Online Learning: A Quality Assurance Study
Monroe, R. (2011). Access study - The Relationship Between Course Design and Learning Processes
Swan, K., Matthews, D., & Bogle, L. R. (2010, June). The relationship between course design and learning processes. [2009 QM Research Grant]. Presentation at the 2nd Annual Quality Matters Conference, Oak Brook, IL.
QM-Related Publications and Presentations (See also Conference Presentations for QM Conference Presentations from 2013 on)
- Quality Matters: An Educational Input in an Ongoing Design-Based Research Project
Adair, D., Shattuck, K. (2015). Access article - Measuring the Impact of the Quality Matters Rubric: A Discussion of Possibilities
Legon, R. (2015). Access article - Analysis of Peer Review Comments: QM Recommendations and Feedback Intervention Theory
Schwegler, A. F., & Altman, B. W. (2015). Access article - Program Administration and Implementation of an Online Learning Initiative at a Historically Black College University: A Case Study
Harkness, S. S. J. (2014a, March 10). [Webinar]. See presentation - Beliefs Regarding Faculty Participation in Peer Reviews of Online Courses
Altman, B. W., Schwegler, A. F., & Bunkowski, L. M. (2014). See study - Beyond the 'Applying the Quality Matters Rubric' Workshop
Dowden, L. (2014, March 10). [Webinar]. In EDUCAUSE/Quality Matters Online and Blended Learning: Institutional Case Studies on Implementing a Quality Assurance Program and Designing Research on Effective Practice Webinar Series. - Teaching Faculty to Design Online Courses - Centering QM in a Historically Decentralized Process
Mercer, R. E., & Ritter, N. L. (2014). Presentation at the 3rd Annual Quality Matters Conference, Baltimore, MD. - QM Implementation
Parscal, T. (2014, March 10). [Webinar]. See presentation - Measuring the Impact on Learner Engagement in the Redesigned Blended Course Using Quality Matters Standards
Knapp, B., & Paull, J. (2013, September). 2013 QM Research Grant presentation at the 5th Annual Quality Matters Conference, Nashville, TN. See presentation - Excuse Me Sir, Here's Your Change: Cognitive and Affective Effects of the Apply the Quality Matters Rubric Workshop
Mercer, R. E. (2013). Presentation at the 5th Annual Quality Matters Conference, Nashville, TN. See presentation - Research Inputs and Outputs of Quality Matters: Update to 2012 and 2014 versions of What We're Learning from QM-Focused Research
Shattuck, K. (2015). See paper - What We're Learning from QM-Focused Research
Shattuck, K. (2012). See paper - An Accessibility Policy for Online Programs
Frey, B. A., Kearns, L. R., & King, D. R. (2012, October). 2012 QM Research Grant presentation at the 4th Annual Quality Matters Conference, Tucson, AZ. See presentation - Accessibility Benchmarking Survey
Frey, B. A., & King, D. R. (2011, November). Accessibility benchmarking survey. Presentation at the 3rd Annual Quality Matters Conference, Baltimore, MD. - From the Ground Up: Conceptions of Quality in Course Design for Web-Support Education
Greenberg, G. (2011). Unpublished doctoral dissertation, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH. See dissertation - What Makes a Quality Online Course? The Learner Perspective
Ralston-Berg, P. (2011, November). Presentation at the 3rd Annual Quality Matters Conference, Baltimore, MD. - Quality Matters: A Case of Collaboration and Continuous Improvement for Online Courses
Shattuck, K. (2011). In S. Huffman, S. Albritton, B. Wilmes, and W. Rickman (Eds.), Cases on Building Quality Distance Delivery Programs: Strategies and Experiences (pp. 146-157), Hershey, PA.: Information Science Reference. - Quality Matters Rubric as 'Teaching Presence': Application of CoI Framework to Analysis of the QM Rubric's Effects on Learner Learning
Hall, A. (2010, June). [2009 QM Research Grant]. See presentation - The Impact of QM Standards on Learning Experiences in Online Courses
Knowles, E. E., & Kalata, K. (2010, June). Presentation at the 2nd Annual Quality Matters Conference, Oak Brook, IL. - Research Brief: The Use of Standards for Peer Review of Online Nursing Courses: A Pilot Study
Little, B. R. (2009). See article - Using Web 2.0 Technologies to Meet Quality Matters (QM) Requirements
Pollacia, L., & McCallister, T. (2009). See article
QM Grant Initiative and Early QM Grants
- Measuring the Impact on Learner Engagement in the Redesigned Blended Course Using Quality Matters Standards
Knapp, B., & Paull, J. (2013, September). 2013 QM Research Grant presentation at the 5th Annual Quality Matters Conference, Nashville, TN. See presentation - The Impact of Findability on Learner Motivations, Self-Efficacy, and Perceptions of Online Course Quality
Simunich, B., Robins, D. B., & Kelly, V. (2012, October). [2012 QM Research Grant]. - Learner and Faculty Perceptions Before and After a Course Meets QM Standards
Parscal, T., Frey, B. A., Lucas, G. (2011, November). [2010 QM Research Grant]. Presentation at the 3rd Annual Quality Matters Conference, Baltimore, MD. - The Development of Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) in Instructors Using Quality Matters Training, Rubric, and Peer Collaboration
Ward, C. (2011, November). [2010 QM Research Grant]. Presentation at the 3rd Annual Quality Matters Conference, Baltimore, MD. See paper. - The Relationship Between Course Design and Learning Processes
Swan, K., Matthews, D., & Bogle, L. R. (2010, June). The relationship between course design and learning processes. [2009 QM Research Grant].
Presentation at the 2nd Annual Quality Matters Conference, Oak Brook, IL. - Quality Matters Rubric as 'Teaching Presence': Application of CoI Framework to Analysis of the QM Rubric's Effects on Learner Learning
Hall, A. (2010, June). [2009 QM Research Grant]. See presentation - Quality in Design: Impact on Learner Achievement
Runyon, J. M. (2006). [2005 QM Research Grant]. Unpublished final report, College of Southern Maryland, LaPlata, MD. - The Impact of Learning Activities on Online Course Completion
Loser, R., & Trabandt, J. (2006). [2005 QM Research Grant]. Unpublished final report, Northern Virginia Community College, Alexandria, VA. - How Learner Learning in an Online Undergraduate Course Is Impacted by the Application of QM Rubric Standards: A Grounded Theory Study
Mott, M. (2006). [2005 QM Research Grant]. Unpublished final report, State University of New York, Canton, NY. - Effect of a QM Reviewed Course on Learner Evaluation
Finley, D. L. (2005). [2004 QM Research Grant]. Unpublished final report, Largo, MD: Author. - Apply QM Rubric to Blended Courses
Iyengar, S. (2006, March). [2005 QM Research Grant]. Presentation at MDLA Conference, Linthicum Heights, MD. - Quality Matters: Ensuring the Quality of Online Courses
Sax, C., and Schumaker, R. (2006). DE Oracle @ UMUC. - Quality Matters: Inter-Institutional Quality Assurance in Online Learning
Sener, J. (2004). See article - Quality Matters Update
Sener, J. (2005). - Quality Matters: Inter-Institutional Quality Improvement for Online Courses
Sener, J. (2006). See article - Quality Matters: Collaborative Program Planning at a State Level
Shattuck, K. (2007). See article
