Do Student Perceptions of Teaching Vary by Faculty Rank?

Abstract

In this study we measured the degree to which undergraduate students are aware of differences in tenure-track and adjunct faculty roles and responsibilities, and tested if student perceptions of teaching effectiveness vary based on faculty position type. We randomly assigned undergraduate students (N = 214) to read an instructor profile identifying the teacher as either a tenure-track faculty or adjunct instructor. Students then watched an online video lecture and rated the instructor’s teaching effectiveness, perceived effort, and their own likelihood to take the instructor’s class. We used analyses of variance and found that students rated the instructor the same in both conditions regardless of perceived position, but students were able to distinguish differences in faculty rank roles and responsibilities, suggesting students have a basic understanding of the roles and responsibilities of tenure-track and adjunct instructors.