Comparing degree programs using unadjusted performance indicators. Assessing the bias from the Potential Confounding Factors

The Italian central government distributes part of the university annual funding on the basis of a ranking between academic institutions. The ranking is based on the values of indicators observed in each institution. From that issue it arises the demand to assess the performances of academic institutions taking into account not only the output of the educational process but also the so called input factors that may act within a system as Potential Confounding Factors. The purpose of this work is to assess the role played by students’ characteristics that act as Potential Confounding Factors and to build up adjusted performance indicator.