A framework for external quality assessment: developing and validating components and indicators for ONESQA’s external quality assessment units in Thailand

Purpose This study aimed to (1) develop a framework of components and indicators for evaluating the performance of the Office for National Education Standards and Quality Assessment (ONESQA) external quality assessment units, (2) examine the content validity, construct validity and discriminative capacity of the proposed framework and (3) formulate policy recommendations for its application in ONESQA’s quality-assurance system. Design/methodology/approach In Phase 1, a draft framework of components and indicators was developed through interviews and surveys with 18 experts, and data were analysed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. In Phase 2, a five-point Likert questionnaire was administered to 37 external quality assessment units; data were subjected to descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis and known-groups comparisons via the Mann–Whitney U test. In Phase 3, a focus group of nine experts reviewed and refined policy recommendations. Findings Results identified four core components (Organizational Management, Personnel Development and Performance Enhancement, Outputs and Outcomes, Collaborative Networks) comprising 22 indicators, all rated highly consistent and appropriate by experts. The measurement model demonstrated excellent fit (χ² = 172.03, df = 182, p = 0.690; χ²/df = 0.94; RMSEA = 0.00; RMR = 0.01; CFI = 0.99; GFI = 0.99; AGFI = 0.98) and known-groups validity confirmed indicator sensitivity. Originality/value Findings provide a validated framework to guide ONESQA’s external assessment units and support evidence-informed policy development.