Rating my professors: Influences on student ratings and faculty beliefs about those influences

Abstract

Little research exists regarding the differences between student and faculty perceptions of what influences how students respond to end-of-course evaluations. This study provides evidence of both similarities and differences between what influences students' course evaluation ratings and faculty members' perceptions of what influences student ratings. The differences offer insight into how both faculty and students perceive the purpose, use, and results of these evaluations. Findings also indicate that different types of students have different perceptions in how evaluation results are used, and different types of faculty use these results more or less frequently. Finally, connections are made between perceptions of campus support and perceptions of whether or not results are used to improved courses and teaching.