4.1 Method of data collection
Following a purposive sampling technique, a sample of eight professors
(head of engineering department) from four universities of Punjab were
selected both from faculties of Engineering and Technologies. All
participants had an administrative experience of 8–15 years. A profile
of participants and universities is presented in Table 1. Data were
collected through semi-structured face-to-face interviews. A
questionnaire was formulated on the basis of literature review and
research questions11Interview questions:
Being head of department, how do you view the present situation of HE
in Pakistan?
What is the role of Vice chancellors in HE?
What are the practices that restrict any improvement in HE system?.
Each individual audio recorded interview was of 15–20 minutes. The
recorded data was later transcribed for analysis. A consent form was
signed by all participants prior to interview that stated the purpose of
research and voluntary nature of their participation.
The names of universities and participants were replaced by numbers as
U1, U2, U3, U4 and R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8 respectively to ensure
confidentiality.
Table 1.
Profile of Participants and Institutions.