Purposive sampling and quality assurance in Chilean universities: equivalency audit

This article presents a conceptual framework that operationalizes the CNA intentional sampling as an equivalency audit in Chilean universities. The method combines documentary analysis of the Criteria and Standards with theory-driven modeling grounded in ISO 9001 and ISO 19011, illustrated through three cases: academic progression, curricular redesign, and graduate-profile attainment. Results specify stages, roles, and criteria to select forty pieces of evidence across the four foci; they also formalize the use of the PDCA cycle and first- and third-party audits to verify transfer and equivalency. We conclude that the purposive sample aligns programs with central administration, reinforces a culture of continuous improvement and accountability within the SIAC, and is scalable to the fourteen criteria.