Ethics, transparency and objectivity in university self-assessment and accreditation processes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71068/vp7scj30Keywords:
Ethics, Transparency, Objectivity, Self-assessment , AccreditationAbstract
Self-evaluation processes, and consequently accreditation in higher education systems, are fundamental mechanisms for ensuring the quality of educational services. However, current debates concern institutional conflicts of interest, positive perspectives versus biases in self-evaluation processes, methodological objectivity and subjectivity, strengths and weaknesses in the application of ethical criteria, and transparency and objectivity in processes and results. The objective is to analyze the scientific evidence on the application of ethical principles, transparency, and objectivity in the self-evaluation and accreditation processes of university programs in Latin American countries. The methodology is based on a systematic review under the PRISMA guidelines. The databases searched were SEMANTIC SCHOLAR, SciELO, and Google Scholar. A total of 10 scientific articles from 7 Latin American countries were studied, covering the period from 2011 to 2025. The study concludes that significant progress has been made in the institutionalization of quality assurance systems in the Latin American countries studied, with regulatory frameworks, standardized protocols, and accountability mechanisms. However, significant concerns remain regarding weaknesses related to ethical self-regulation, limitations in transparency, and methodological biases. The studies highlight that the effectiveness of these principles depends on institutional maturity, participation strategies, and the methodological rigor applied in self-assessment, external evaluation, and accreditation systems.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Antonio Arteaga Montero, Alain Ruben Cossio Vela, Sandro Camargo Fernández, Evert Choqueticlla Copajira, Roxana Carmona Estrada (Autor/a)
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