Faculty Forum

Abstract

Past research indicates several factors influencing teaching evaluation ratings instructors receive. We analyzed teaching evaluations from psychology courses during fall and spring semesters of 2003–2004 to determine if class size, class level, instructor gender, number of publications (faculty instructors), average grade given by the instructor, and instructor rank predicted teaching evaluation ratings. Entering predictor variables into a multiple regression analysis concurrently, results indicated that only average grade given and instructor rank significantly predicted instructor ratings. Specifically, higher average grades given by the instructor predicted higher ratings, and graduate teaching assistants received higher overall ratings than faculty instructors.