Cashin's Variables to Watch (that may influence) Instructor/Course Evaluations
(and sample questions)

  • Level of the Course

This course is a _____ level course:

A: 100 level.

B: 200 level.

C: 300 level.

D: 400 level.

E: 500 & 600 level.

F: 700 level.

  • Academic Discipline

Student's major is best described by which category:

A: Business.

B: Education.

C: Humanities.

D: Fine Arts.

E: Science.

F: Social & Behavioral Sciences.

G: Other

  • Expected Grades

Entering the course:

A: I expected to earn a course grade of A.

B: I expected to earn a course grade of B.

C: I expected to earn a course grade of C.

D: I expected to earn a course grade of D.

E: I expected to earn a course grade of F.

  • Student Motivation

I had a strong desire to take this course.

A: Definitely false.

B: More false than true.

C: In between.

D: More true than false.

E: Definitely true.


I worked harder on this course than on most courses I have taken.

A: Definitely false.

B: More false than true.

C: In between.

D: More true than false.

E: Definitely true.


I really wanted to take this course from this instructor.

A: Definitely false.

B: More false than true.

C: In between.

D: More true than false.

E: Definitely true.


I really wanted to take this course regardless of who taught it.

A: Definitely false.

B: More false than true.

C: In between.

D: More true than false.

E: Definitely true.

* Departments are advised to monitor correlations between these variables and teacher/course evaluation scores.