Raising questions. Pursuing answers. Curating and categorizing. That’s how we support QM quality assurance.
A founding principle that continues to drive Quality Matters is the need for QM Standards to reflect current academic research on effective learning. The initial standards and subsequent modifications have been based on the insights of teams of experienced online instructors and instructional designers and on the best practices standards promulgated by accrediting bodies and national and international organizations. In addition, the QM Standards have been examined for consistency with the conclusions of the educational research literature regarding factors that increase learning and engagement and that improve learner retention rates.
QM's Department of Innovation & Research is focused on curating and supporting research studies related to the impact and use of the Quality Matters model. Literature reviews to inform members of the Rubric Committees in their effort to assure that the Rubrics remain current with the research are also an important component of QM Innovation & Research activities. If you are looking for guidance on conducting QM-focused research or finding studies to support the use of QM, we recommend starting with the resources listed in this section.
qm research library
Search our curated selection of literature bearing a relationship to quality assurance in online learning, as well as the QM Standards, by either keyword or the QM Standard number.
See instructions for submitting references to the library.
research toolkit
Get guidance on developing a research question that will make for a solid study and facilitate attaining information significant to online learning stakeholders.
qm-related research resources
See a curated list of studies and publications related to the primary categories of QM Research.
Need help with your search? Contact QM Research with your questions.
Looking for a recording or miss a session?
See a list of all archived recordings.
Have an idea for a Research Webinar? Contact the Innovation & Research team.
Research Webinars
March 13, 2025 — 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Eastern
Leveraging LMS Templates for Faculty Support and Enhanced Student Success
Presented by Kevin MacLeod, Learning Experience Architect, D2L and Bethany Simunich, Ph.D., Vice President, Innovation and Research, QM
Did you know that LMS templates can be a vital support tool for faculty, designers, and online students? In fact, research shows that templates embedded with quality practices and standards can positively influence everything from student retention and learning to faculty satisfaction and institutional ROI. Join this webinar to learn why LMS templates are crucial for online faculty support, an institutional resource for scaling quality online learning, and an important tool for online learner success. We’ll go over the results of a recent LMS template research project and leave you with DIY and ready-made options to create your own templates that align with institutional needs.
Webinar begins at 1:00 p.m. ET, 12:00 p.m. CT, 11:00 a.m. MT, 10:00 a.m. PT
