Backup - Communicating with Recent Graduates: Making Sense of the GDS
The Graduate Destination Survey (GDS), with the Course Experience Questionnaire (CEQ) or Postgraduate Research Experience Questionnaire (PREQ) attached, is sent to all new Australian university graduates every year. The aim is to take a snapshot of what recent graduates are doing in terms of their post-graduation activities and to gather information from them about their higher education experience.
Conclusion, Appendix and References
In order to make full use of the data gathered via the GCCA surveys, analysts should:
·discuss their data needs with their institution’s Survey Manager;
·familiarise themselves with the GDS Manual and the Code of Practice for data use;
·familiarise themselves with the instruments;
·examine the relevant GCCA reports for detailed background information concerning data use and analysis; and
·contact the GCCA for advice where necessary.
The data gathered via the GDS, CEQ and PREQ represent an important resource for institutions as they work to improve the quality of their teaching. Appropriate application of the data will aid institutions in this aim, however an understanding of the survey methodology and most useful modes of analysis are needed to ensure that the full value of the data is extracted.
Appendix
Please download the relevant tables and graph from the links below:
References
- ABS (2002) Average Weekly Earnings, Australia, November 2002, Australian Bureau of Statistics, Catalogue Number 6302.0, Canberra.
- GCCA (2002) 2002 GDS Manual of Operating Procedure, Coding and Data Entry Instructions, Graduate Careers Council of Australia, Melbourne.
- GCCA (2002a) Graduate Starting Salaries, 2001, Graduate Careers Council of Australia, Melbourne.
- GCCA (2002b) Graduate Destination Survey, 2001, Graduate Careers Council of Australia, Melbourne.
- GCCA (2002c) Course Experience Questionnaire, 2001, Graduate Careers Council of Australia, Melbourne.
Bruce Guthrie
Research Manager, Graduate Careers Council of Australia
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