Student Evaluations of Instructors: What do Students Believe?

Abstract

While numerous studies analyzing the pros and cons of teacher evaluations have been conducted, there is still little agreement concerning the issue. The present study examines the beliefs of the sometimes forgotten participants in the process, the students. Student responses to a twenty-two item questionnaire concerning student evaluations found students agreeing that evaluations are useful and that they as students are qualified to assess instructors. Beliefs regarding the influence of evaluations on instructors as well as how students might be influenced in making their assessments were not firm in the minds of the respondents. Significant differences in the beliefs of males and females, undergraduates and graduates as well as business and nonbusiness majors were identified.