Cautions on the use of student evaluations of teaching

Abstract

A survey of recent literature on the use of student evaluations of instructor quality in colleges and universities indicates that questionnaire-type student evaluations are widely used. However, validation of the results, that is, statistical correlation of scores with student learning of content, has been neglected. Many authors have urged caution in the use of student evaluations as an index of quality of teaching. This article suggests that although evaluation of instructional quality is important, most commonly used evaluation questionnaires do not truly measure instructional quality. It urges care in the use of these scores in areas affecting the welfare of instructors.