Preparing for Higher Education Studies: Survey of Lecturers, January - February, 2017

The purpose of the study: to study the attitude of teachers working in Lithuanian higher education institutions to the preparation of master's students for university studies and to identify the factors influencing the preparation.
Major investigated questions: respondents were asked to indicate the percentage of time spent on work in higher education, research, administrative work, teaching and promotion of academic and R&D activities. They were asked whether they had taught undergraduate and/or integrated degree students in the last 3 years. Those faculty who have taught were asked to indicate what the most important components are in preparing applicants for undergraduate and/or integrated studies, and they were asked to rate their students' readiness for these studies accordingly. The readiness of undergraduate and/or integrated degree applicants for their studies and the subjects taught by the respondents were assessed. Furthermore, the communication, cognition, initiative and creativity and personal skills of the bachelor and / or full-time students to work with were assessed. The respondents also assessed the current situation in general education and higher education. It was clarified whether he works with students where motivation was assessed at the time of admission to the bachelor and / or integrated studies, and whether the assessed motivation helped to select the most motivated students. It was further asked whether respondent had taught master's students in the last 3 years. Those teachers who have taught were asked to indicate what the most important components are in preparing applicants for graduate study, and they were asked to rate their students' readiness for that study accordingly. The aim was to find out whether the respondents had college graduates among their master's students and whether there were noticeable differences between college graduates' and university graduates' readiness for master's studies. The readiness of first year master's students and the subjects taught by the respondents were assessed. After a block of questions, the characteristics of first year master's students were assessed that are necessary for study. It was asked whether respondent works with students whose motivation was assessed when they entered the master's program and whether the assessed motivation helped in selecting the most motivated students. It was further clarified whether respondent has taught or supervised doctoral students in the last 3 years. Those teachers who taught or supervised were asked to indicate the most important components of preparation for doctoral study and were asked to assess their students' study skills accordingly. They were also asked to rate the doctoral student's preparation and the qualities required to complete the dissertation. After a block of questions, admission to doctoral studies was assessed. It was asked whether the motivation of first-year students assessed during admission to doctoral studies helps to select the most motivated students. Furthermore, respondents commented on current and planned changes in higher education. It was asked whether freshmen motivation should be assessed when entering a higher education institution and how it should be assessed. Clarification was provided on how graduates should be admitted to liberal arts programs and how many state matriculation exams should be passed in order to enter an institution of higher education. The goal was to find out what the minimum score on a state matriculation exam should be for graduates to be admitted to a college. Finally, it asked who should receive public funding for college.
Socio-demographic characteristics: age, gender, number of occupations, major, type of college, city where college is located.