Record Detail

This paper details the development of theGraduate Attributes Scale(GAS), a tool that has been devised to help evaluate the acquisition of a set ofgeneric attributes that underpin the profile of university graduates. Commencingwith a set of 37 variables that target desired attributes, the tool was administered to3493 alumni after graduation. We applied four mathematical models to derive anoptimal subset of items that captures sufficient diversity in response, without pro-ducing any substantial reduction in data quality. Determinant-based methods, andparticularly the Two-stage method, produced the most useful subset of items forapplication and evaluation of attributes. Findings from this research provides aroadmap for universities to develop similar instruments that can evaluate andmonitor desirable graduate attributes. Such a tool can assist both faculty and careereducators in the development of sound teaching and learning practice aimed atshaping graduates prepared for the world of work.