Assessing the assessors: a comparative study

In a national quality assessment of business administration in Norway, the work of eight simultaneously working external assessment panels was studied. The article examines how the panels considered different kinds of information sources and processes during the assessment, and in writing their reports. The study shows that information from self‐evaluation reports and instructional checklists, from an arranged conference and a training seminar, was ranked low by the panels, while information from the interaction between the panels and the assessed department and/or institution was highly valued together with internal discussions inside the panels and the assessors’ own knowledge and experience. In writing their external reports, the information highly valued was used most by the assessors. Possible implications of the study, especially in relation to the organisation and set‐up of external assessments, are presented in the conclusion.