Student Use of the RateMyProfessor Website in Course Selection
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| Title: | Student Use of the RateMyProfessor Website in Course Selection |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Chanel Schwenck, Jessica Pryor, Sean Simons |
| Source: | Educational Research Quarterly. 2024 48(2):3-25. |
| Availability: | Behavioral Research Press. Grambling State University, Math Department, P.O. Box 1191, Grambling, LA 71245. Tel: 318-274-2425; Web site: http://erquarterly.org/ |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 23 |
| Publication Date: | 2024 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Student Evaluation of Teacher Performance, College Faculty, Web Sites, Computer Use, Course Selection (Students), Decision Making, Student Attitudes, Influences, Teacher Effectiveness, Education Majors, Undergraduate Students, Undergraduate Study, Age Differences, Majors (Students), Rural Areas, Public Colleges |
| ISSN: | 0196-5042 |
| Abstract: | This quantitative research study explored college students' perceptions and evaluations of the website, RateMyProfessors.com, and its impact on their course selection process. Whereas most universities do not publish course evaluations, Rate My Professors (RMP) provides a virtual space for students to read and offer each other insight on professor quality and class content. This study was designed to examine college students' usage of RMP, specifically comparing the differences in response between education and non-education majors. However, the data collected revealed that student classification as freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior, rather than major, more accurately determined their utilization of RMP. An independent-samples t-test was used to determine whether score differences existed on undergraduate major categories and found no statistical differentiation between majors. A Kruskal-Wallis test was used to determine whether score differences existed based on university classification and found that sophomores' and juniors' usage of RMP was higher than that of freshmen and senior students. Sophomore and junior students have more latitude in the courses they are able to take, and seek guidance from RMP more often than freshmen and seniors. Ultimately, professors would benefit from reading their RMP evaluations thoroughly and using the feedback to improve the way they design and implement future courses. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2024 |
| Access URL: | https://erquarterly.org/index.php?pg=content |
| Accession Number: | EJ1447842 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | This quantitative research study explored college students' perceptions and evaluations of the website, RateMyProfessors.com, and its impact on their course selection process. Whereas most universities do not publish course evaluations, Rate My Professors (RMP) provides a virtual space for students to read and offer each other insight on professor quality and class content. This study was designed to examine college students' usage of RMP, specifically comparing the differences in response between education and non-education majors. However, the data collected revealed that student classification as freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior, rather than major, more accurately determined their utilization of RMP. An independent-samples t-test was used to determine whether score differences existed on undergraduate major categories and found no statistical differentiation between majors. A Kruskal-Wallis test was used to determine whether score differences existed based on university classification and found that sophomores' and juniors' usage of RMP was higher than that of freshmen and senior students. Sophomore and junior students have more latitude in the courses they are able to take, and seek guidance from RMP more often than freshmen and seniors. Ultimately, professors would benefit from reading their RMP evaluations thoroughly and using the feedback to improve the way they design and implement future courses. |
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| ISSN: | 0196-5042 |
