Institutional Compliance with ACSCU-ACI Research Standards for Continuous Research Quality Improvement in Higher Education Institutions: An Assessment

This study assessed Aldersgate College, Inc. (ACI) 's institutional compliance with the Research Standards of the Association of Christian Schools, Colleges and Universities–Accrediting Council, Inc. (ACSCU-ACI) as a basis for developing a Continuous Research Quality Improvement Framework (CRQIF). Employing a descriptive-evaluative research design, the study used purposive sampling to select 20 administrators and faculty members directly engaged in institutional research management and implementation. Data were collected using a researcher-developed questionnaire based on the ACSCU-ACI Research Accreditation Instrument and were supplemented by documentary analysis. Descriptive statistics, including weighted mean and standard deviation, were used to determine the level of institutional compliance, while thematic analysis was employed to identify institutional gaps and priority areas for improvement. Findings revealed that Aldersgate College attained an overall compliance rating of Highly Compliant (M = 3.659, SD = 0.556), indicating substantial alignment with the ACSCU-ACI Research Standards. Among the seven research dimensions, Research Agenda and Policies obtained the highest compliance rating (M = 3.833), while Faculty Research Productivity registered the lowest mean score (M = 3.256), although it remained within the Compliant category. Thematic analysis identified five major institutional gaps requiring strategic intervention: (1) research support infrastructure; (2) faculty research capacity and training; (3) research publication and dissemination; (4) research funding and resources; and (5) research policy standardization and research culture. The findings demonstrate that ACI has established a solid institutional foundation for research quality assurance and highlight critical areas requiring sustained organizational investment to strengthen research capability, scholarly productivity, governance, and resource support. Based on these findings, the study proposes a Continuous Research Quality Improvement Framework (CRQIF) that offers a systematic, evidence-based roadmap for enhancing institutional research quality, sustaining accreditation compliance, and fostering a culture of research excellence in higher education institutions.