Manipulations of Student Evaluations: No Laughing Matter

Abstract

Abstract There is serious question about the validity of student evaluations of faculty. There is also increasing evidence that evaluations are susceptible to manipulation by faculty who must depend heavily on them for favorable personnel action. A tongue-in-cheek list of behaviors to improve one's evaluations suggests that manipulation is both common and a serious threat to quality social work education. A reduced emphasis on student evaluations is strongly advocated.