Solution-focused approach in higher education: a scoping review

Abstract

ABSTRACT As students populating higher education (HE) are becoming increasingly diverse, there is a growing need to equip educators with learner-centred communication skills. A solution-focused (SF) approach represents one attractive option to equip HE instructors and supervisors with strengths-based, goal-oriented communication techniques. This scoping review maps the current use of SF approaches in HE, explores key SF tenets and techniques compatible to HE, identifies knowledge gaps, and suggests recommendations for future research and professional development. From an initial yield of 7941 citations, 17 peer-reviewed articles published between 2001 and 2018 were included in the review. The majority of reviewed articles embraced strengths-based tenet of the SF approach as conducive to enhancing learners’ engagement and self-efficacy, and improving learner–educator collaboration. SF techniques such as scaling and goal settings were used to support learners in setting individualized goals and actionable steps toward the goals. The pragmatic focus of the SF approach on solutions and multiple pathways to goal attainment was also considered helpful for academic and clinical supervisors facing time constraints. More rigorous empirical research is needed on appropriate application of the SF approach in diverse HE contexts, and on evaluation of potential mediators of change between the approach and learner/educator outcomes.