SELF AND PEER APPRAISAL IN HIGHER-EDUCATION

This paper applies the mathematical technique of Data Envelopment Anal ysis to the problem of appraisal in Higher Education. The technique ca n be understood as an idealised self and peer appraisal: evaluating ot hers in the same way that we would optimally evaluate ourselves relati ve to those others. The technique is applied to examples of student an d staff appraisal. Although the main focus of this article is on the t echnique itself (its rationale, the prerequisites for use, and the ins ights that it yields), we also discuss the wider implications of havin g and using such a technique to assist appraisal.