Reading between the numbers: reflecting on findings from a longitudinal institutional analysis of the NSS free text comments

Enhancement of the student learning experience is a key theme within the current Higher Educational discourse and strategic imperatives for improvement of practice. The concern has been how to make best use of NSS data to inform evidence-based action. Quantitative data from the NSS whilst compelling only provide partial and often ambiguous insights into student satisfaction. Work undertaken at LJMU shows how free text comments may be used to provide a more rounded interpretation and fill in gaps in understanding. The resulting longitudinal institution-wide analysis has helped to reveal connections across disciplinary groupings and inform enhancement strategies.