External quality control in communication science:

Abstract

In this article, the author gives an overview of how quality control is done inCommunication Science at Dutch and Flemish universities. He bases his overview onhis experience as a member of the Dutch/Flemish External Quality Control Commissionduring 1998/99. The article focuses briefly on the question “why quality control?”, adefinition of quality control, the process of quality control, challenges in and threatsto Communication Science, and on-site visits to departments. He finally provides theDutch checklist (reworked and translated) used by external quality control commissionsfor the evaluation of university teaching.