Research on the Evaluation of Teaching and Research Ability in Higher Vocational Colleges: Based on the Teaching and Research Achievements of Hainan Higher Vocational Colleges from 2020–2023

This study focuses on 14 higher vocational colleges in Hainan Province. By collecting data from five dimensions—academic papers, research projects, patents, teacher teaching competitions, and teaching achievement awards—between 2020 and 2023, this research analyses the current status of teaching and research at these 14 higher vocational colleges in Hainan. Also evaluated the teaching and research capabilities of these institutions via the entropy value method. The findings reveal that academic papers of high volume and quality are predominantly found in Hainan's higher vocational colleges designated as “Double High” institutions, which possess distinct professional characteristics. With respect to research projects, Hainan's higher vocational colleges conduct scientific research grounded in provincial conditions, with a focus on the construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port and key local industries. In terms of patents, Hainan's higher vocational colleges place greater emphasis on the cultivation of utility model patents. With respect to teaching achievement awards, Hainan has a relatively high selection frequency, with a particular focus on participation from department heads and frontline teachers. In teacher teaching competitions, Hainan's higher vocational colleges utilize their professional characteristics to develop competition projects centered around clusters of majors. On the basis of the results of the data analysis, recommendations are proposed for transforming research paradigms, building high-quality teaching and research teams, establishing a sustainable teaching and research evaluation system, and implementing categorized management for key and general institutions, providing a basis for enhancing teaching and research capabilities at Hainan's higher vocational colleges.