Abstract
This research tests for differences in mean class averages between male and female faculty for questions on a student rating of instruction form at one university in the Midwest are considered to be in the category of “very high research activity” by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education. Differences in variances of class averages are also examined for male and female faculty. Tests are conducted by first considering all classes across the entire university and then classes just within the College of Science and Mathematics. The proportion of classes taught by female instructors in which the average male student rating was higher than the average female student rating was compared to the proportion of classes taught by male instructors in which the average male student rating was higher than the average female student rating. Results are discussed.
Highlights
Student ratings of instruction are often used by universities as the main way of evaluating the teaching effectiveness of a faculty member
The class average response decreased with an increase in the proportion of students for which this course was required for their major
We did find significant differences for questions 6, 11, and 15 with student responses associated with female faculty higher; this is when proportion of students expecting A’s and B’s is not controlled for in model
Summary
Student ratings of instruction are often used by universities as the main way of evaluating the teaching effectiveness of a faculty member. This is true at research universities [1]. Marcotte [4] discusses a small study conducted based on student ratings in online courses. When students thought the instructor was female, the instructor was rated lower in all 12 categories considered. This included the category of “caring and respectful”. Students who thought the instructor was female, gave the instructor an average rating of 3.55
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
