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The Research Behind Student Evaluations
 Steve Fitzpatrick, MEC and Marilla Svinicki, CTE

CIS Items #10 and #11

CIS ITEM
#10 and #11 provide information for instructors about student GPA and probable grade in the course.
Correlation to student learning


Research has shown that there is a slight positive correlation between grade and ratings. However, there is not evidence to show the nature of the cause-effect relationship.
Theoretical Rational for correlation


It is possible that receiving a high grade in a course results in rating the course highly, but is this because the course is too easy and therefore the grade is inflated or because the course was difficult and a high grade in the course was very satisfying, which resulted in overall positive ratings of the course or because the instructor actually did a good job in teaching and it is reflected in both high grades and the student ratings?

Main Research Chart

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References
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May 21, 2002
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