Data for decisions in developing education systems: An analysis of a computer-based education management information system in the Arab Republic of Egypt

This thesis focuses on efforts to develop a computer-based education management information system (EMIS) in Egypt. An EMIS is a formally structured data collection, storage, retrieval, processing, and dissemination system used to support the main activities of educational managers and decision makers.;This study begins with a discussion of information utilization in decision making and a general review of computer-based information system developments. A set of criteria that may be used to guide the evaluation, design, and development of improved EMIS is identified through a review of related research. The identified criteria are used to evaluate a computer-based EMIS in Egypt. Several examples of specific ways in which the information system in Egypt might be modified are outlined and demonstrated. A strategy emphasizing the development of prototype systems and broad-based involvement in EMIS design and development is suggested and discussed.;An examination of EMIS in Egypt revealed that past efforts to develop education management information systems have been narrowly defined and dominated by technicians and technical concerns. It is concluded that the most serious constraint to EMIS development in Egypt at this time is a general lack of vision and a clearly perceived utility of what a computer-based EMIS and a service-oriented EMIS unit could contribute to the improvement of educational administration, planning, research, and decision making.;In conclusion it is argued that the success of efforts to improve EMIS should be measured not merely in terms of whether the technical components of the system are put in place, i.e., computers operational, a comprehensive database available, etc. The critical success measure should be the extent to which EMIS efforts contribute to the dialogue on education issues in the belief that from increased dialogue will come better decisions. The objective of efforts to improve EMIS should be on the development of a process that will lead simultaneously to improved technical components, improved planning and decision-making processes, and increased dialogue on critical education issues.