An Analysis of Impacts on Health Education and Health Promotion Professors\u27 Ratings

Professor evaluations (both formal and informal) are commonly used to assess instructor teaching abilities and courses as a whole. Recently however, the validity of professor evaluations has been brought into question. The purpose of this study was to assess variables that contribute to both high and low professor ratings using a popular online professor rating website. Professors ranking Assistant, Associate, or Full from SABPAC approved Health Education and Health Promotion programs were selected. Qualifying professors were split into a high or low rated group. Fifty-six professors were included in the analysis, (23 males and 33 females). A series of Independent Samples T-tests were conducted to assess differences in professor ratings based on selected variables. A qualitative approach was also used to analyze student comments. A statistically significant difference in ratings was found between those professors rated as physically attractive and those who were not. Themes given to high rated professors included being noted as easy and interesting. Themes given to low rated professors were unclear and lots of work/busy work. The results of this study indicate there may be variables beyond teaching ability that influence student ratings of professors